In Vietnam, Christmas is commonly referred to as “Giáng Sinh” in the Vietnamese language. It is celebrated by a small percentage of the population, mainly influenced by Western cultures and Christianity.
In Vietnam, Christmas is commonly referred to as “Giáng Sinh” in the Vietnamese language. It is celebrated by a small percentage of the population, mainly influenced by Western cultures and Christianity. Let’s uncover some interesting facts about how Christmas is celebrated in Vietnam.
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Celebratory Atmosphere: Despite being a minority celebration, Christmas is still embraced with enthusiasm in major cities like Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon) and Hanoi. Streets are adorned with colorful decorations, and shopping centers and hotels are beautifully adorned to create a festive atmosphere.
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Midnight Mass: One of the highlights of Christmas in Vietnam is attending Midnight Mass, also known as “Misa đêm,” at Catholic churches. It is a significant religious ceremony where people gather to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.
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Gifting Tradition: Similar to other countries, exchanging gifts is a common practice during Christmas in Vietnam. Families and friends often exchange presents to express love and appreciation for one another.
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Traditional Foods: While Western Christmas cuisine is not typically consumed on this day, Vietnamese people celebrate Christmas with their customary dishes. Families gather to enjoy a festive meal that often includes various Vietnamese delicacies such as banh chung (sticky rice cake) or banh tet (cylindrical glutinous rice cake).
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Santa Claus with a Twist: In Vietnam, Santa Claus is often depicted as “Ông già Noel” and is seen wearing a traditional Vietnamese ao dai, a long-standing symbol of Vietnamese culture. This representation adds a unique touch to the familiar figure.
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Unique Decorations: Vietnamese Christmas decorations may incorporate elements of local culture and tradition. Alongside the customary ornaments such as Christmas trees and lights, it is not uncommon to find decorations featuring traditional Vietnamese symbols like lotus flowers or mythical creatures.
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Charitable Activities: Christmas in Vietnam is also an opportunity for acts of charity and giving back to the community. Many organizations and individuals organize charity events, provide meals and gifts to underprivileged children, and support those in need during the holiday season.
As Albert Einstein once said, “The value of a man or woman should be seen in what he or she gives and not in what he or she is able to receive.” This quote reflects the spirit of Christmas in Vietnam, where the emphasis is often placed on acts of kindness and generosity.
| Interesting Facts About Christmas in Vietnam |
| 1. The first Catholic church in Vietnam was built in the 16th century, introducing Christianity to the country. |
| 2. Christmas is not a public holiday in Vietnam, but it is widely celebrated by the Christian community. |
| 3. Vietnamese people often decorate their homes with paper lanterns, snowflakes, and sparkling lights during Christmas. |
| 4. Despite the predominantly Buddhist and Confucian influence in Vietnam, Christmas has gained popularity in recent years. |
| 5. Traditional Vietnamese dishes like pho and spring rolls are sometimes incorporated into festive Christmas feasts. |
| 6. In larger cities, you can find street vendors selling Santa Claus hats and other Christmas accessories during the holiday season. |
| 7. The Vietnamese government officially recognizes Christmas, and it is often broadcasted on national television. |
This video contains the answer to your query
In this video, the speaker teaches viewers some Christmas vocabulary in Vietnamese. They explain that Christmas is not traditionally celebrated in Vietnam, but it is becoming more popular. They introduce words like “noel” and “noel sinh” for Christmas, “Ông già Noel” for Santa Claus, “xe tuần lộc” for Santa’s sleigh, and “cây thông” or “cây biểu tượng Giáng sinh” for the Christmas tree. They also mention words for snow, snowmen, presents, and Christmas food. The speaker encourages viewers to comment with any missed words and ends by wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and reminding them to sing Christmas songs with loved ones.
Other answers to your question
Merry Christmas is called Giáng Sinh An Lành in Vietnamese, pronouncing as “young-sin-an-land” (land said without d). Many people also say Happy Christmas meaning in Vietnamese: Chúc Mừng Giáng Sinh.
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