People in provinces and cities across Vietnam gathered at local churches on Monday night to celebrate Christmas Eve as well as to admire the beautiful decorations put up there to mark the special holiday.

In Hanoi, residents flocked to the St. Joseph's Cathedral, locally referred to as the ‘Big Church,’ and Hoan Kiem (Sword) Lake to mark the holiday under the chilly weather.

As of 8:00 pm, these locations were packed with people, while nearby streets became seriously congested.

In Ho Chi Minh City, people had headed to such popular churches as Tan Dinh Church in District 3 and St.Paul’s Cathedral in Binh Tan District since 6:00 pm on Christmas Eve.

Others decided to celebrate it in the downtown area, causing many streets including Ton Duc Thang, Hai Ba Trung, Le Duan, and Pham Ngoc Thach to be overcrowded.

Many young people gathered at local shopping malls such as Diamond Plaza on Le Duan Street and Takashimaya on Nam Ly Khoi Nghia Street to take selfies with the colorful decorations.

It was also a good opportunity for photographers and street vendors to pocket some extra money by offering their services and products to residents and visitors.

For people in Da Lat, a resort town in the Central Highlands province of Lam Dong, the Da Lat Cathedral, also known as St. Nicholas Cathedral or the Rooster Church, would be their first pick to enjoy the holiday spirit.

Visitors from other places in the country also believed Da Lat, with its cool atmosphere, is an ideal place to mark this year’s Christmas.

In Hue, the capital of the north-central province of Thua Thien-Hue, Phu Cam Cathedral was where the locals headed to celebrate the holiday.

Young people here, as well as foreign visitors, were also attracted to a Christmas garden situated in the heart of the city, near the iconic Huong (Perfume) River.

Covering about 100 square meters, the garden featured a large illuminating Christmas tree at its center, along with 24 other trees covered with thousands of LED lights. Six ‘snow machines’ were used to create a perfect atmosphere for the special occasion.

Major churches in the central city of Da Nang, south-central beach city of Nha Trang, north-central Nghe An Province, and Phu Quoc Island off southern Vietnam were also filled with people on the same night.  

People at a church in Da Nang City on December 24, 2018. Photo: Tuoi Tre

People at a church in Da Nang City on December 24, 2018. Photo: Tuoi Tre

Foreign visitors celebrate Christmas in Nha Trang City. Photo: Tuoi Tre

People celebrate Christmas on Phu Quoc Island. Photo: Tuoi Tre

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