Although having been overwhelmed by the Christmas atmosphere for one month, Hanoians just felt somehow warmed up in these biting cold days in Hanoi, but still waited with bathed breath for the upcoming year.
Christmas, a holiday in western countries, has become popular in Vietnam in recent years, especially for youth. Unlike in western countries, it is more of an opportunity to get together with friends and party rather than a time for praying.
But this year, as the country has experienced great economic difficulties throughout the year, with high inflation, falling stock prices, fewer job opportunities, the holiday that drew the year to the end is celebrated in a more economic way.
"This year, I will get together with my friends and have a small party which is similar to previous years. However, I will not spend much money on buying gifts for people as my salary is down," said Tam, a 22-year-old girl.
Christmas seems to receive less attention from Vietnamese people this year, as they are worried about earnings and year-end bonuses for their traditional Lunar Festival, said observers.
Many big shops in Hanoi old quarter's main streets like Hang Maand Luong Van Can are colorfully decorated with Christmas trees and Santa Claus these days. They also offer attractive promotion program to encourage sales at this occasion.
"It is traditional for us to decorate our shop like this even though it costs quite a lot of money. We hope such decorations will not only lure domestic customers but also foreigners living in Hanoi," said an owner of a silk shop in Hang Ngang Street of Hanoi.
Vincom Tower, one of the biggest department stores in Hanoi, displays a Santa Claus riding a herd of reindeers in front of their building. However, people came here not to buy goods but to take photos as the cheapest way for entertainment.
"I just want to take my first 20-month-old girl here to take some photos without intention of buying anything," said a woman standing at the Vincom Tower.
In Vietnam, Santa Claus has another popular name of the snow man. Service of delivering gifts at home by the Vietnamese snow men is different from other countries. Snow men in Vietnam, also well dressed in the red-colored clothes, but travel by motor bikes
"In previous years, our shop received more orders from clients who want to deliver gifts to their friends or relatives by the snow man service than this year," said a shop-owner who provides the service.
For local street vendors, Christmas Eve is as normal as other days of the year. "I don not care today is Christmas or not. What I care is to sell as many loaves of bread as possible. That is the way I earn money to support my children," said an old woman selling bread in Hanoi.
When the evening before Christmas comes, Hanoi became busier and more crowded with flows of people going home in hurry. Colorfully-decorated shops in Hanoi are still in silence.
Source: Xinhua
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