Foreigners love Hanoi Christmas market

As soon as he heard that a Christmas market was being held in Hanoi , Alex, 24 years old, British citizen, immediately brought all his friends to join in on the afternoon of December 2.

This was his first time celebrating Christmas away from home, and Alex thought he might not be able to enjoy the festive atmosphere in Vietnam. It was December but Hanoi still lacked the "Christmas vibe", the streets were less bustling and colorful than in England. But when he arrived at the Christmas market on Au Co Street, Tay Ho District, he said he felt like he was home.

"There was a festive atmosphere everywhere, people of all nationalities gathered here. We enjoyed good food, listened to music and drank beer, that was more than enough," said Alex.

Alex (second left) and friends go to the Christmas market on Au Co street on the afternoon of December 2. Photo: Quynh Nguyen

Anna, 27, a friend of Alex who lives in Tay Ho district, said she has participated in the Hanoi Christmas market for two consecutive years. Compared to last year, she found the space more open and the stalls beautifully decorated.

"Everything was great, I was very happy and excited to join in the festival atmosphere. People who are far from home like us also feel less homesick," the girl said. She also affirmed that spending two weekends to attend the festival was completely worth it.

Settling and starting a family in Vietnam for 9 years, Louis and his wife and two sisters took their children to the market. The French man said the Christmas atmosphere in Vietnam is very different because it is not the main festival of the Vietnamese people.

"But at the Hanoi Christmas market, I also felt part of the bustling atmosphere and had the opportunity to meet fellow countrymen. Besides, this is also an opportunity for children to have fun and learn more about this special festival," Louis said.

Louis and his wife (left) and their two sisters' families went to the Hanoi Christmas market on Au Co street on the afternoon of December 2. Photo: Quynh Nguyen

Gary Devitt, 39, organizer of the Hanoi Christmas Market 2023, said this was the 6th time the market has been held. In previous years, the scale was smaller with about 20 stalls, but this year the space has expanded, attracting 40 stalls to sell. In addition to the food area, there are also many souvenir stalls of foreigners.

Talking about the reason for organizing a traditional Christmas market in Hanoi, the Icelandic man said he wanted to create a space for foreigners to have the opportunity to connect.

"After 7 years living in Hanoi, I realized that Vietnamese people only attend Vietnamese events, and foreigners are also only interested in their country's festivals, so I want to create a common playground for everyone to have the opportunity to interact, meet and live in the festival atmosphere," Gary said.

In previous years, about 2,000 - 2,500 people came to the market in two days, most of them foreigners. This year, after only three hours of opening, the market attracted more than 300 people, twice as many as usual.

Tables and chairs are arranged for visitors to the Christmas market on Au Co Street to enjoy food and listen to live music on the afternoon of December 2. Photo: Quynh Nguyen

Gary Devitt, 39, (in black), organizer of the 2023 Christmas market, takes a photo with his wife and Santa Claus at the festival.

Visitors to the Christmas market visit souvenir stalls.

A foreign visitor chooses to buy handicrafts.

Many people enjoy taking pictures with Santa Claus at the festival.

Visitors to Hanoi Christmas Market 2023 take souvenir photos.

Many children took pictures with Santa Claus.

A stall selling goods at the Christmas market.

Mr. Igor Pescarolo, 44 ​​years old and Ms. Le Thi Thao, 37 years old, from Hoi An came to Hanoi to open a stall selling homemade sauces.

A group of foreign tourists sit and chat at the Christmas market.

The guests sat listening to music at the market.

Space for visitors to rest and dine.

Gary Devitt, 39, (in black), organizer of the 2023 Christmas market, takes a photo with his wife and Santa Claus at the festival.

Visitors to the Christmas market visit souvenir stalls.

This is the third year that Igor Pescarolo, 44 ​​years old, and Le Thi Thao, 37 years old, from Hoi An came to Hanoi to open a booth selling sauces at the fair.

The Italian man has lived in Vietnam for 7 years. He said there are many ways to sell goods, but every year he has to go to Hanoi to attend the Christmas market. "Not only selling goods, I want to immerse myself in the festival, feel the vibrant atmosphere like when I was in Italy. It is worth trying," Igor said.

In addition to foreign visitors, the Hanoi Christmas market also attracts many Vietnamese. Ms. Vu Thu Linh, 34 years old, in Cau Giay district, brought her two sons, aged 7 and 2, to the event.

In previous years, Ms. Linh often took her children to Christmas events at shopping malls and hotels, but now she wants to experience the Christmas market.

"The space is spacious, with a variety of stalls and a large dining area, enough room for children to play, and then have the opportunity to chat with Santa Claus," said Linh. The 34-year-old woman also said that if she has the chance, she will come back to experience it again in the coming years.

Quynh Nguyen

Vnexpress.net