Hanoi’s glistening Trang Tien shopping mall lures thousands of people on Christmas Eve. (Photo: VNA)

Tran Thanh Duong, a Hanoi citizen, said: “I find the atmosphere, especially around Hoan Kiem Lake and walking streets more bustling. Almost every year, my family enjoys Christmas Eve in this area.”

Nguyen Mai Anh from Canada said: “Vietnamese people consider Christmas a time to gather with friends and relatives. In contrast to foreigners, who traditionally prefer to spend Christmas at home, Vietnamese people often go out for the Christmas atmosphere.”

Notre Dame Cathedral in District 1 was closed for restoration work but the area from the Cathedral to Nguyen Hue Pedestrian Street and neighboring areas remained a popular gathering place for groups of young people.

Christmas Eve was bustling in Nam Dinh province, where people gathered at churches to pray for a happy and peaceful life. Thousands of people in Ninh Binh province flocked to local churches, particularly Phat Diem Church. Entertainment complexes, shopping centers, restaurants, and coffee shops were decorated with Christmas trees and colored lights.

Phu Yen province has more than 18,000 parishioners for whom Christmas is the most important festival.

All roads leading to Pleiku City in Gia Lai province have been beautifully decorated. In PleiChuet parish, home to more than 3,500 Catholics, a Ja Rai ethnic minority group gathered for gong performances and games.