It's snowing in Sa Pa. Thousands of people are flocking to the northern mountainous town to see what is a rare sight in the country, not to mention the Southeast Asian region as a whole.

 

Whether it snows in Sa Pa or not, most places in Viet Nam can never have a white Christmas, but the atmosphere in big cities does not lack in festive intensity or cheer or glitter.

See more: Day tripping Sa Pa

In fact, Christmas atmosphere seems to arrived in HCM City earlier this year.

In the very first days of December, the weather has turned a bit chilly and famous trade centres, hotels, shops, restaurants and the street have very creatively and colorfully decorated.

Some decorations have converted big buildings into gift packages with lighting as well as other props including satin-looking bands.

Many trees standing on pavements have been adorned, while artfully done up artificial trees erected in major shopping centres.

Residents are flocking in the thousands to downtown HCM City, where streets like Le Loi, Dong Khoi, Nguyen Hue, Ham Nghi, Dong Du, Le Thanh Ton and Ly Tu Trong are sparkling.

Truong Tuan Vy, a 24-year-old restaurant worker on Bui Vien Street, said that like other shops on the street, his restaurant is also decorated to welcome Christmas and New Year. But this year they have used pine trees, lights and other decorative paraphernalia that had been used last year so as to save costs, he said.

Apart from commercial establishments, residents have ornamented their homes to greet the festive season. As usual, they visit shops on Hai Thuong Lan Ong in District 5 that specialise in selling decorations.

Small streets and alleys in Catholic hamlets like Pham Van Hai in Tan Binh District, Pham The Hien in District 8 and Residential Quarter 3 in District 3 are also wearing a festive look.

In the front yard of many houses at these Catholic hamlets, the families have gathered materials to prepare the nativity scene with stone caves, snow and figurines of infant Jesus, Mary, Joseph and the three wise men.

At around 6pm in Residential Quarter 3, it seems that the day is just beginning. Children are in vacation mode, adults are allowing them to run about freely while they themselves walk about or gather in groups under thousands of Christmas lights. From nearby cafes and restaurants, the sounds of Christmas melodies fill the air.

"My family and I moved to Pham Van Hai Street nearly a year ago. I feel a very special Christmas atmosphere here. From early December, many families, including mine, have been decorating their houses and the places around. We always feel the cheerful, cosy and very holy atmosphere of Christmas here", said Nguyen Ngoc Tram.

It is Christmas time on Pham The Hien Street, home to several churches. Nativity scenes, Christmas trees and brightly lit lanterns are everywhere.

Phan Hong Mai, a Protestant in Ward 7, said, "In recent years, as the Christmas comes, families here donated materials to decorate the area, so it is a shared celebration."

Tran Thu Thanh in Hung Hoa Alley in the District's Ward 6 is assisting her husband in making a nativity scene in a corner of their yard.

"I find that if we know how to make the most of everything it does not cost much to decorate the cave. My family always does this for Christmas. We hope everyone has a merry Christmas," Thanh said.

The chilly weather in HCM City has been filled with the brightness of coloured lights, the thrill of gifts-bearing Santa Clauses, and the warmth spread of human beings grateful for the love of God. 

Merry Christmas!