Where To Find Christmas Spirit In Hanoi And Ho Chi Minh City

In Vietnam, the Christian community is a vibrant tapestry woven through the nation’s cultural fabric. Comprising primarily of over 7 million Catholics and millions more from various Protestant denominations. Visiting churches is one of the most popular holiday activities, offering a sense of peace and deeper meaning to celebration.

Ho Chi Minh City

1. Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon

Every December, Saigon’s Notre-Dame Cathedral becomes one of the most crowded places in the city. Tens of thousands of people gather to take photos, stroll the streets, and “feel the winter,” despite Saigon having no real winter at all.

The history of Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral began in the late 19th century, initiated by the French government to serve the colonial community. Construction started in 1863 and completed two years later. The cathedral was enhanced in 1895 with the addition of two bell towers, and in 1959 it was renamed Notre-Dame Cathedral after the installation of the Our Lady of Peace statue.

Since 2024, the entire cathedral has been illuminated ever since its reparation and renovation in 2017.

• Opening hours:
• 8 AM to 11 AM and 2 PM to 4 PM daily.
• Midnight Mass on December 24th and Christmas Day services.
• Location: No. 1 Cong Truong Cong xa Paris St, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

2. Tan Dinh Church (Pink Church)

Tan Dinh Church was constructed in 1876, with the church officially opening in late 1876. With its Gothic-Romanesque architectural style and striking pink hue, the church stands out as a unique symbol among the religious sites in Ho Chi Minh City.

Over the years, the church has preserved its beautiful blend of historic and modern elements. It has become a must-visit destination for international travelers exploring the city. During the Christmas season, the church is adorned with vibrant lights and decorative displays, creating a stunning nighttime atmosphere.

The area in front of Tan Dinh Church is often bustling with activity, and visitors are encouraged to enjoy the view by visiting nearby cafés where they can capture moments of the church glowing at night.

• Opening hours:
• Weekdays: Open 7 AM - 12 PM, 2 PM - 5 PM, and 8 PM - 9 PM (except during Tan Dinh church mass times)
• Saturday: Open until noon only
• Sunday: Reserved for worship services only
• Location: 289 Hai Ba Trung St, Vo Thi Sau Ward, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City

3. Cho Quan Parish Church

This is the earliest Catholic construction in Ho Chi Minh City, originally built in 1640. After undergoing eight major reconstructions, the current structure was inaugurated in 1896. Designed in a stunning Gothic style, it features curved roofs and intricate carvings.

The history of Cho Quan Parish is linked to the expansion of the Nguyen Dynasty’s influence in Southern Vietnam. In the late 17th and early 18th centuries, many parishioners migrated from Central Vietnam to the South to escape famine and seek new opportunities, settling in a village known as Xom Bot (now District 5). This settlement grew into a bustling market, named Cho Quan, which later became the neighborhood's name.

Originally painted ivory white, the church has since been renovated to reveal its distinctive pink exterior. Today, it serves a vibrant Catholic community, hosting both daily and weekly Masses.

"Every year at Christmas, I am very happy, everyone in the parish gathers together for decoration. The Christmas atmosphere is very bustling and many people come here to visit," Mr. Tran Minh Dat, who is in charge of decorating Cho Quan Church, shared with Lao Dong News that the decoration of the church started about a month before Christmas.

• Opening hours: 5:00 am – 11:00 am and 1:00 pm – 9:00 pm daily
• Location: 120 Tran Binh Trong, Ward 2, District 5, Ho Chi Minh City

Hanoi

1. St Joseph's Cathedral

St. Joseph’s Cathedral, or Nhà Thờ Lớn Hà Nội (Hanoi Big Church), was built on the historic site of the Buddhist Bao Thien Pagoda. The cathedral’s main architectural style is Neo-Gothic (Gothic Revival), heavily inspired by the iconic Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris. Completed on Christmas Day in 1888, marked a significant shift in the architectural landscape of Hanoi.

Interestingly, the design also integrates elements of Vietnamese architecture, showcasing traditional materials like baked clay bricks and adorned with red-and-gold gilded woodwork on the altars. This unique blend of Eastern and Western influences makes St. Joseph’s Cathedral a symbol of cultural harmony.

• Opening hours: 24/7 for exterior viewing and photography
• Location: No. 40 Nha Chung Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi

2. St. Anthony Ham Long Church

Constructed in the early 20th century, Ham Long Church showcases a blend of French colonial architecture and traditional Vietnamese design elements. The church was built on an old street named Ham Long, an historic street of the Old Quarter of Hanoi, from which Ham Long Church was called.

The church was designed by a Vietnamese architect, incorporates traditional local materials like straw, limestone, and paper, ingeniously designed to create arches that diffuse sound effectively during ceremonies. As one of Hanoi's prominent churches, Ham Long Church remains a vital hub for the Catholic community, drawing numerous visitors eager to engage with its rich historical and architectural heritage.

Christmas concert for charity

The VNSO Christmas Charity Concert will also take place on two special evenings in December, at both St. Joseph’s Cathedral and Ham Long Church. This is an annual event organized by VNSO, aimed at raising support for those facing hardship.

This year's concert aims to attract a larger audience, creating an opportunity for the community to come together and support those who have been affected by natural disasters and storms in Central Vietnam. The event will have free entrance, encouraging everyone to participate and fostering a warm and meaningful atmosphere during the holiday season.

At St. Joseph's Cathedral

• Date: December 26, 2025 (Friday)
• Time: 7:30 PM: Open Door | 8:00 PM: Concert
• Address: No. 40 Nha Chung, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi

At St. Anthony Ham Long Church

• Date: December 27, 2025 (Saturday)
• Time: 8:00 PM: Open Door | 8:30 PM: Concert
• Address: No. 21 Ham Long, Cua Nam, Hanoi