Christmas in Vietnam - A colourful festival at the crossroads of cultures

As everyone knows, Christmas is a Christian holiday celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, according to the faithful of this religion. If Christmas is celebrated all over the world, each country has its own customs and traditions. In Vietnam, Christmas is a relatively recent holiday that is becoming increasingly popular. Some see it as a religious holiday, while others see it as a cultural or commercial holiday. In any case, Christmas is an opportunity to meet with family and friends, share moments of joy and celebrate love, in a religious and cultural celebration mix, respectfully marrying Western and Asian elements.
 

Hang Ma Street, in the old times- Photo : Internet

It is not surprising that Christmas in Vietnam is linked to the country’s Christian history.
In the land of the Blue Dragon, Christmas was celebrated for the first time in the 16th century by Portuguese and Spanish missionaries. They made Christmas an important holiday for Vietnamese Christians. The first written mention of Christmas in Vietnam dates back to 1533 in a Portuguese document. According to this document, it was in the city of Hoi An that the Portuguese missionaries celebrated Christmas for the first time in Vietnam. However, the popularity of this festival gradually increased only after the arrival of French settlers in the 19th century. The latter were fervent Christians who encouraged the Vietnamese to celebrate Christmas. It is also possible that the French desire for colonization was motivated by the desire to make known the Christian faith and Western culture in Vietnam. Let the historians take charge of the discussion... But celebrating Christmas in Western fashion will take longer than expected. Christmas Day as it is celebrated today did not begin to develop until the late 1980s, after the opening of the Country of Uncle Ho on the outside. It should be noted that before this, Vietnam was reluctant to celebrate Christmas, a holiday considered a Christian and Western holiday, and therefore in contradiction with the communist doctrine. Traditionally Buddhist, Vietnam today sees about 10% of its population being Christian, mainly Catholic, which makes the country in the two Deltas the second most Catholic Asian country after the Philippines.

Christmas in Vietnam is called “Giáng Sinh”, which means “birth” in Vietnamese. Here too, the date of December 25 is recognized as the day of the birth of Jesus Christ, and Vietnamese Christians celebrate Christmas by going to church, praying, singing hymns, and participating in midnight mass. They also decorate their houses with nativity scenes and Christmas trees, the latter being often artificial. As we saw above, Christmas has become an important holiday in Vietnam, with its streets decorated with Christmas trees, garlands and lights. Shops offer Christmas items, and restaurants organize special menus. But in this riot of red, green and white, an attentive observer will notice more typically Vietnamese elements, such as red lanterns or lotus flowers.
In Hanoi, there is a particular street that is literally flooded with christmas trees, garlands, bells, snowflakes, Santa costumes and other banners "Merry Christmas!" If you are in the capital during the holidays, you will find it in the district of Hoan Kiem, some 800 meters from the Sword Restored Lake. Known under the French colonization under the name of Rue du Cuivre (copper street), it has today found its surname of Rue des Papiers Votifs (votive paper offerings street). Indeed, this street have always sold votive objects – which will be burned during certain rituals – such as banknotes, clothes, even cars and improbable paper iPhones. Modernization and buying fever have contaminated the world, we also sell everything that is festive decorations, especially during the various Tets and Christmas.

► If you are interested in history, you can read this article:
Key Historical Events to Understand Vietnam
 

Hang Ma Street, christmas spirit - Photo : Mr Linh's Adventures

Non-Christians and young people, as well as all those who like to enjoy the joyful and lively atmosphere of Christmas, strolling through the decorated and illuminated streets, shopping and attending shows and parades, are undoubtedly attracted by this cultural festival. And who offers gifts, greeting cards, and others turn to delicacies like biscuits, chocolate cakes and sweets.

Let’s conclude our investigation into the history of Christmas in Vietnam by pointing out that the current popularity of this holiday cannot be attributed exclusively to the legacy of French colonization. Rather, it will be seen as a cultural and social phenomenon that reflects the diversity and openness of modern Vietnam. These moments that represent peace and sharing are an opportunity to gather with friends, go out on the street, have fun and transmit joy and goodwill to others. In Vietnam, Christmas is a manifestation of religious freedom and tolerance, allowing Christians and non-Christians to celebrate the birth of Jesus together.

Finally, Christmas in Vietnam is a manifestation of the creativity and adaptation of the Vietnamese, who have combined local traditions with foreign influences to create a party with a unique and original atmosphere.

Vietnam celebrates Christmas in different ways depending on its region, religion and preferences. If Christmas is now celebrated all over Vietnam, it is especially appreciated in big cities such as Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang. It is celebrated in various ways: some go to church to attend midnight mass, while others opt to party with friends and family. Do we need to clarify that? Christmas is particularly appreciated by children because they receive gifts from Santa Claus.

Celebrating Christmas in Vietnam - Photo : Mr Linh's Adventures

This is an important tradition, followed by all Vietnamese Christians, who gather to pray, listen to sermons, and receive communion. The churches usually have an impressive crib and are beautifully decorated with lights and garlands. Once inside, you can hear Christmas carols in Vietnamese, French and sometimes English. The Notre-Dame de Saigon Cathedral, the Cathedral of St Joseph of Hanoi and the Basilica of La Vang in Hue are among the most famous churches for the midnight mass.

In Vietnam too, Christmas is a special opportunity to go out and have fun, while enjoying the decorations and animations in which rub shoulders unlikely Santa Claus of the tropics in scooter, reindeer stuffed, snowmen cotton, and paper stars. You can also shop in the Christmas markets, where you will find handicrafts, clothing, jewelry, and souvenirs. The liveliest cities for Christmas festivities are Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Da Nang, and Nha Trang.

Christmas in Vietnam is also a gourmet celebration, where you can enjoy both local and Western dishes. Some Vietnamese families prepare traditional dishes from Tet, the Vietnamese New Year, such as banh chung (sticky rice cake, mung beans and pork), thit kho (caramelized pork), or nem (spring rolls). Others more or less successfully adopt typical Christmas dishes, such as turkey, pudding, or Christmas log.

► Are you foody ? Read : The basics of Vietnamese cuisine
 

Experience Christmas in Vietnam - Photo : Mr Linh's Adventures

There are some important cultural differences between Christmas in Vietnam and in the West.
• Religion: Christmas is a Christian holiday in the West, but it has become a pagan holiday – who said commercial? - for many people. In Vietnam, Christmas is a religious holiday for Christians, but it is also celebrated by non-Christians.
• Food: The traditional Christmas meal in the West often includes a generously stuffed turkey accompanied by its faithful vegetables. In Vietnam, the Christmas meal often includes chicken, duck or beef, as well as traditional Vietnamese dishes like banh chung and nem, as seen above, but one can also mention Ga luoc, a meal based on boiled chicken, usually served with garlic and ginger sauce.
• Gifts: In the West, Christmas gifts are usually given by parents to children. In Vietnam, Christmas gifts can be given by parents to children, but also by friends, colleagues and relatives.

Christmas in Vietnam is a holiday full of colors and traditions that shows the diversity and richness of Vietnamese culture. Whether you are a Christian or not, come and enjoy the festive and warm atmosphere of Christmas by discovering the customs, decorations and flavors of this country at the end of the world, a unique and unforgettable experience that will leave you with unforgettable memories.

St Joseph Cathedrale (known as Nha Tho Lon in Vietnamese) : 40 Nha Chung Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi
Cua Bac Church, built by the French in 1932, Cua Bac is a Roman Catholic church with beautiful architecture : 56 Phan Dinh Phung Street, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi
Although Ham Long Church is not as well-known to foreign tourists as St. Joseph's Cathedral, it is nonetheless a worthwhile Christmas destination due to its appealing architectural architecture and spectacular and complex decorations.: 21 Ham Long Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi

Notre Dame of Saigon Cathedral , (Nha tho Duc Ba Sai Gon in Vietnamese), with its impressive architecture and festive decor, draws both locals and tourists. : 01 Cong xa Paris, Ben Nghe, District 1, HCM city
Tan Dinh Church, a captivating pink-painted church known for its unique Gothic and Roman architectural fusion : 289 Hai Ba Trung, Phuong 8, district 3, HCM city
Cho Quan Church, wich offers a unique backdrop for the Christmas festivities, thanks to its charming architecture, blending elements of both Eastern and Western styles : 120 D. Tran Binh Trong, Phuong 2, District 5, HCM city

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