Thousands of residents and tourists in provinces and cities across Vietnam flocked to churches and public places with stunning Christmas decorations on Saturday night to celebrate the occasion.

In Dong Nai Province, a neighbor of Ho Chi Minh City, which is home to the most Catholics in Vietnam, parishes are like donning a new coat as they were colorfully decorated.

Ha Phat Church in Bien Hoa City, Dong Nai Province, where a 47-meter-high Christmas tree made of over 4,200 conical hats was erected, has welcomed thousands of visitors per night over the past few days. They prayed for a peaceful and happy new year.

The Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon was festooned with 80,000 meters of LED light strings.

At Binh An Thuong Church in District 8, Ho Chi Minh City, a stone cave with two artificial snow machines has attracted thousands of visitors. Children dressed in Santa Claus costumes preferred playing with the artificial snow.

Trade centers in the city were outfitted with shimmering and fanciful Christmas decorations. They have drawn in crowds of visitors for the festivities and shopping.

The Consulate General of France in Ho Chi Minh City also celebrated Christmas by organizing a fair of souvenirs.

In Hanoi, many parishioners and holiday-goers on Saturday crowded the Joseph's Cathedral to enjoy the Christmas season.

The church was decorated with colorful lights and a 15-meter-high Christmas tree, luring a huge number of visitors.

In Thua Thien-Hue Province and Da Nang City in central Vietnam, residents reached churches to take photos and experience the festive atmosphere despite rains and the cold weather.

At the Da Nang Cathedral, many international tourists attended the mass service marking the birth of Jesus together with local parishioners.

Young Hee, a South Korean traveler, said she and her family spent their last afternoon in Da Nang to celebrate Christmas.

“This is the first time I have celebrated Christmas in a foreign country. It is special but I still feel like in my homeland,” Young added.

Like us on Facebook or  follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!