Christmas is not a public holiday in Vietnam, but Christmas celebrations are actually fairly popular among Vietnamese people. They celebrate this holiday with joy, where major cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh are decked out in festive decorations. Vietnamese Catholics have observed Christmas since the era of French control, even though they constitute a small minority. Vietnam has been more open to Western influences since the 1980s, when liberal policies were put in place. As a result, all religious groups in the country celebrate Christmas with great passion. As part of the festivities, the Vietnamese exchange Christmas cards (although uncommonly), have a Christmas dinner, and even dress up as Santa Claus (who is called the “Old Man of Christmas”).
History of Christmas in Vietnam
The Phat Diem Cathedral in Ninh Binh Province is the spiritual home for at least seven million Catholics living in Vietnam. On the other hand, not all rural communities observe Christmas.
- Origin of Christianity in Vietnam: Christian missionaries from France, Portugal, and Spain brought Christianity to Vietnam in the 1500s.
- Dominion of France: The Vietnamese Christian population grew substantially under France’s colonial control in the 19th century. Despite being a small minority, the Catholics often celebrated Christmas without incident.
- Communist Dominion: Catholics were forced to celebrate Christmas in secret when church-state ties deteriorated after the 1975 communist takeover.
- After the War: Christmas in Vietnam triumphantly returned after the Vietnam War ended in 1975 and economic reforms were introduced in the late 1980s.
- Modern Period: Nowadays, Vietnamese people of all faiths celebrate Christmas with joy, and it is actually one of the country’s most important celebrations. Approximately 7% to 10% of Vietnamese people identify as Catholic or Christian, which translates to 7 to 10 million people.
How Vietnamese Celebrate Christmas
Christmas in Vietnam is celebrated during a warm winter with no snow and a temperature of 86°F in some cities. Vietnamese Christmas celebrations have elements of Western and Eastern customs (mostly Western). Secular in nature, Christmas is more like a mashup of Black Friday and New Year’s Day in Vietnam. The emphasis is on the ambiance, the gifts, and the decorations. Despite 55% identifying as Buddhist, the public’s interest in Christian monuments and rites is growing every year.
-> See also: Buddhists Celebrate Christmas But Not in the Same Way
“Old Man of Christmas”
Santa Claus, or “Ông Già Nô-en”, literally “Old Man of Christmas,” is popularly believed in Vietnamese children of urban Millennial parents. The rate of this is higher than in most other Asian countries. Even though the majority of the population is Buddhist, there is a wide Santa Claus adoption in this country, and you can find Santa suits at many stores during the holiday.
Vietnam is a hot country where snow is unlikely due to the tropical and temperate climate. During December, the average temperature is 79°F. However, the hot weather in Vietnam still doesn’t stop Santa from wearing his trademark red outfit. Hundreds of kids in the main cities dress as Santas and walk around. Seeing a Santa on a motorcycle instead of a sleigh is also not unusual.
Feasting
The Vietnamese Christmas celebration centers on the meal, as it does in many nations. You will find holiday fares like roast turkey and Christmas pudding on the menus and buffets of many restaurants. Sapa Town, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Da Nang are a few of the Vietnamese places that begin celebrating Christmas on December 24th with a mix of traditional and contemporary traditions. The Christian Vietnamese start the holiday season with Midnight Mass before feasting on a turkey or chicken soup accompanied by traditional banh xeo (thin pancakes), bao buns, and dumplings.
The Impact of France
Many French customs have found their way into Vietnamese Christmas due to Vietnam’s history as a colony of France. The “Réveillon,” a traditional Christmas Eve French feast, is enjoyed by some of the inhabitants. Delicacies like oysters, escargot, and the bûche de Noël (Yule log cake) are other examples of French influence. Christmas trees and nativity displays are also French customs that have left an impression on Vietnamese Christmas celebrations in major cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City where more than 14 million people live today.
Giving Presents
On Christmas, the Vietnamese like exchanging presents, and this “gift” can be a chocolate log cake that they prepare other than a typical present. Because Christmas in Vietnam is defined by an emphasis on food. Other than this cake, other Christmas gifts are rare.
Some Vietnamese youth are also known to exchange greeting cards but that’s not common and is usually practiced by enthusiastic people of the Christian faith. On the other hand, the anticipation of Christmas surprises, like presents and treats, is still palpable, particularly for children for the sake of the holiday’s aura.
Picking sharp instruments like knives or scissors as a gift is a bad idea since that would mean you wish to sever ties with the person.
Decorative Items for Christmas
The decorations adorn most of the streets, hotels, and shops. Vietnamese congregate in well-liked public spaces like Nguyen Hue Walking Street, which is enhanced with confetti and tinsel. Some religious families can also decorate their houses with a Christmas tree, a Santa Claus figure, bells, lights, nativity items, and other Western ornaments. Christmas stockings and envelopes with money have also been trending up in recent years.
