Around Hanoi cathedral, large numbers of worshippers, visitors and young people gathered as they do every year to attend services and enjoy the festive atmosphere.
Savior, a 32-year-old tourist from Germany, said he and his wife had been travelling in Vietnam for three weeks from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi and took the chance to visit the cathedral. He said the atmosphere was warm and lively and that he planned to continue exploring the country.
Hung Linh and Viet Thao arrived in the afternoon. Linh said that after visiting the cathedral they planned to stroll around the old quarter to fully enjoy the festive mood.
Near Hoan Kiem Lake, Le Thi Hien and her dance group gathered for a small celebration, wearing red outfits and Santa hats as they marked Christmas together.
The weather in Hanoi was cool and pleasant, with temperatures around 20 degrees Celsius, creating favourable conditions for outdoor celebrations.
Alice Fouquey and Matthieu Nono, tourists from France, said they had grown up with Christmas traditions at home but chose Vietnam as their year-end travel destination after doing some research. While walking through Hanoi’s old quarter, they were surprised to find an entire street selling brightly coloured Christmas decorations. They planned to visit more sites before heading to Ha Long the next morning to celebrate with friends.
By 8 pm, Hanoi cathedral began its Christmas 2025 arts programme, with surrounding streets becoming increasingly congested as crowds continued to arrive.
In Ho Chi Minh City, traffic around Notre Dame cathedral was heavy as people poured into the streets and headed towards churches and central areas to celebrate Christmas Eve.
Young people posed for photos in front of the cathedral, illuminated by hundreds of thousands of festive lights.
Traffic police were deployed to direct vehicles and ease congestion, ensuring safe and smooth movement for revellers.
Shopping centres across the city were also brightly decorated with lights, Christmas trees and Santa figures to attract residents and visitors.
At Tan Dinh Church, crowds continued to swell as the evening progressed.
People gathered along Pham The Hien Street to stroll and enjoy the festive atmosphere, adding to the lively Christmas night scenes.