Christmas is very important for Christians. Every family is busy making elaborate preparations for the festival.
"Every year, Catholic followers always feel happy to welcome Christmas", said Dang Thi Thuy, a Catholic who lives on Nha Chung street, Hoan Kiem district in Hanoi. "My family usually makes stone caves and decorates Christmas trees on the occasion. We are happy in our souls and always try to keep ourselves pure", she said.
"This year’s Christmas is nicer than last year because Cardinal Crescenzio Sepe, Minister of Vatican Missionary Works attended an ordination ceremony for 57 priests in the Hanoi Cathedral in November. This was a great honour for new priests, their families as well as Catholic people," Ms Thuy added.
Rosie Baskerville, an English teacher from Language Link Vietnam Centre in Hanoi also decorated her house carefully for the occasion. "I decorated my house with a green Christmas tree. I put some light and some red stars on the tree, as well some star candles on the window", she said. "It is very simple but nice. No bells or Santa Claus as I think Santa Claus is more suitable for children".
"I miss my family very much at Christmas time. It is very hard", said Rosie. This Christmas, she will celebrate Christmas in one of her friends’ houses. Last Christmas, she went with friends to a Vietnamese beach for a few days and had Christmas dinner by the sea.
Recalling Christmas celebrations in England, Rosie said: "In the morning, we usually received Christmas gifts from Father Christmas or Santa Claus for young children in my family. We had breakfast, then relaxed and watched some Christmas films. In the afternoon, we had a big meal. I am not Catholic and not strongly religious but Christmas has changed and it is still very important for everybody".
Fifty-year-old Do Van Dzung from Nha Chung street said his family is making hectic preparations for Christmas. In his house stands a Christmas tree beautifully decorated with ornaments and his stone cave looks very impressive. "All my family are involved in making the stone cave and we feel really happy", he said.
"Generally speaking, Catholic people have received increasing support from the authorities. We hope that this Christmas will be organised successfully with support from the Government", he said.
German tourist Florian said he is so surprised to witness the busy atmosphere of Christmas in Hanoi, even though this is the third time he has visited the city. "There are so many people celebrating Christmas in Vietnam. Santa Claus arrives on his motorbike to deliver Xmas gifts. Almost all shops and stores are beautifully decorated with bells, Santa Clauses and snow princesses in red costumes. The weather in Hanoi is a little cold, but very nice while it is very cold in certain parts of Europe with heavy snowfall. Christmas decorations in Vietnam look much nicer than in Germany as you could see in front of the Hanoi Cathedral. I like to enjoy Christmas in Hanoi very much."
"The city is very beautiful and nice. I feel much impressed with a tall Christmas tree in front of Vincom Tower", Rosie further said.
Christmas is a great holy event for Catholic people. In Rosie’s opinion, Christmas is very important for every Catholic family. There is no other time like Christmas when they can meet and enjoy themselves in high sprits. Christmas has changed now, but for everybody, it is also very important like the traditional Lunar New Year Festival in Vietnam.
Kim Tuyen-Tran Ngoc
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