Famous Cathedral in Hanoi

TraditionalVietnamese religions are Buddhism and the Chinese philosophies ofTaoism and Confucianism. However, during French rule, many peoplebecame Christians, that occupy 8 to 10 percent of whose population.This is because the Vietnamese are a fun-loving, sociable people andthe various Vietnam festivals and events are actually occasions forthem to a gala time, all together. Christmas in Vietnam is a grand party.

History Of Christmas In Vietnam

Christmas in Vietnam has had a tumultuous history. The Catholics are a minority in Vietnam but they used to celebrate Christmas in Vietnam quitein peace right from the days of the French rule. That is until theCommunists took over political power in 1975. The church-staterelations soured during that time and the Catholics were relegated tocelebrating Jesus’s birthday in privacy.

Sincethe end of the Vietnam War in 1975, church-state relations have notalways been smooth. However, they have been improving since theintroduction of economic reforms in the late 1980s. Liberalist policiesadopted since the 1980s saw Vietnam warming up to western influencesand ideals and Christmas in Vietnam came back triumphantly. Now Christmas is one of the major festivals in Vietnam, celebrated with much fanfare by all religious communities.

PhatDiem Cathedral in Ninh Binh Province is considered the spiritual homefor the seven million Catholics who live in Vietnam, a predominantlyBuddhist nation. Hundreds of Catholics gather for Christmas Eve Mass inthe northern city of Phat Diem. Children staged a nativity play tocelebrate the birth of Jesus Christ - or Kito, as he is known inVietnamese -- in front of the city's cathedral, built in 1891.

Christmas In Vietnam

Christmas in Vietnam is a huge event, especially in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam and the Vietnamese Christmas celebrations hereare like any other city in the western world. The Christians in Vietnamattend a Midnight mass on Christmas Eve and return home to a sumptuousChristmas dinner. The Christmas dinner usually consists of chicken soupwhile wealthier people eat turkey and Christmas pudding.

Christmas tree at Fortuna Hotel (Hanoi)

On Christmas Eve, Vietnamese people in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City,especially young people, like to go into the city centre, where thereis a Catholic Cathedral. The streets are crowded with people onChristmas Eve and in the city centre cars are not allowed for the night.

Peoplecelebrate by throwing confetti, taking pictures and enjoying theChristmas decorations and lights of big hotels and department stores.Lots of cafes and restaurants are open for people to enjoy a snack!

Vietnamused to be part of the French Empire and there are still Frenchinfluences in the Christmas traditions. Many Catholic churches have abig nativity crib scene or 'creche' with nearly life size statues ofMary, Joesph, baby Jesus, the shepherds and animals. In some areas ofHo Chi Minh City, usually in Catholic parishes, people have big cribscenes in front of their houses and decorate the whole street, turningit into a Christmas area! These are popular for people to visit andlook at the scenes.

Alsolike in France, the special Christmas Eve meal is called 'reveillon'and has a 'bûche de Noël' (a chocolate cake in the shape of a log) fordesert. Vietnamese people like to give presents of food and atChristmas a bûche de Noël is a popular gift. Other Christmas presentsare not very common, although some young people like to exchangeChristmas cards.

TheYuletide spirit of giving and sharing has been embraced with an earnestby the Vietnamese. Generous as they are, the Vietnamese give out giftsand presents in plenty during the Christmas celebrations in Vietnam. However,the children are more keen to have their stockings and shoes stuffed inwith goodies from Santa’s bulging sack. The European customs of SantaClaus and the Christmas tree were popular and children would leavetheir shoes out on Christmas Eve.