Ha Noi embraces Christmas with colors

Christmas is no longer exclusively a Catholic celebration but rather a joyful day for everyone, filled with hope for peace, luck, and a good and beautiful life.

Decorative items and Christmas gifts are on display all over downtown Ha Noi, but especially in Hang Ma, Hang Luoc, and Luong Van Can street. People are flocking to these areas to shop or just sight-see.

As Christmas approaches, Ha Noi churches like Cua Bac and St. Joseph's Cathedral are beautifully decorated to welcome tourists and the Catholic faithful from around Viet Nam.

On December 22, Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Hoa Binh visited the Archbishop Residence of Ha Noi, the Evangelical Church of Viet Nam (North), and the Committee for Solidarity of Vietnamese Catholics to offer greetings for Christmas 2024 and the upcoming New Year 2025.

At the Archbishop Residence of Ha Noi, Nguyen said the Party and State had agreed to allow the Holy See to open the Office of the Resident Papal Representative in Ha Noi.

He also noted that the elevation of diplomatic relations with the Vatican to a new level reflects Viet Nam's growing prestige on the international stage, with many countries praising its role and recognizing it as a peaceful, friendly nation ready to be a friend to all countries.

On behalf of the Party and State's leaders, he wished Protestant dignitaries and followers a merry Christmas and happy New Year./.