Top 11 Best Christmas Spots in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City

Hanoi is home to many large shopping malls, and during the holiday season, they are beautifully decorated to create a festive atmosphere. As soon as you step through the entrance, the enchanting lights are sure to captivate you.

Here are some of the most popular shopping malls:

Royal City (Nguyen Trai, Thanh Xuan, Hanoi) is known for its massive Christmas tree, glowing fountain, and modern lighting system, which together create a stunning scene. Every Christmas, Royal City is adorned with grand decorations, including giant Christmas trees and a spectacularly lit fountain area. This is a perfect spot to visit with friends and family to experience a truly special Christmas atmosphere. Despite the crowds, it remains a favorite destination for many.

Times City (Minh Khai, Hai Ba Trung, Hanoi) is another great place to celebrate Christmas. The unique and beautiful decorations in the space create a festive vibe, with a central square featuring a water music stage that makes the atmosphere even warmer and more joyful. The iconic reindeer figures, Christmas trees, gift boxes, and a large “Merry Christmas” sign fill the square with color and light, making it an unforgettable Christmas experience for all who visit.

Additionally, there are many other shopping centers in Hanoi that offer perfect spots to capture beautiful photos with loved ones.

Located in the heart of District 1, Ben Nghe Ward, Ho Chi Minh City, Notre-Dame Cathedral stands out with its magnificent French architecture. The spacious interior and exterior of the cathedral make it one of Saigon's iconic landmarks. It's a favorite spot for the locals and an essential destination for tourists visiting the city for the first time.

Notre-Dame Cathedral is one of the oldest and grandest sites in Saigon, making it a perfect place to celebrate Christmas. Every year, on the night of December 24th, the cathedral becomes the center of Christmas celebrations for both Ho Chi Minh City and Vietnam as a whole. Hundreds of thousands gather here to celebrate Christmas Eve. Not only will you capture beautiful photos, but you can also enjoy chatting with friends and family over street food like grilled corn, roasted sweet potatoes, and crispy rice paper. The vibrant atmosphere guarantees you won't get bored.

Nearby attractions include Diamond Plaza, Kumho, Dong Khoi Street, Turtle Lake, Nam Ky Khoi Nghia Street, and Ton Duc Thang Street. The warm lights and bustling, festive streets, combined with a variety of street foods, will make you feel the lively and cozy spirit of Christmas.

Nguyen Hue Walking Street is a must-visit spot for young people during Christmas. Since its opening, Nguyen Hue Walking Street has been the go-to destination for anyone wanting to enjoy the vibrant atmosphere of Saigon. Every year, this pedestrian street is adorned with stunning, multi-colored lights, creating a lively ambiance. Surrounded by modern shopping centers, cafes, and restaurants, it’s the perfect place to make your Christmas celebrations even more joyful and festive.

During this time, Nguyen Hue Walking Street becomes even more crowded. Thousands of people flock here, filling the street with dazzling lights, lively music, and street performances. The nearby shopping malls and buildings are also beautifully decorated, creating an electric atmosphere.

Starlight Bridge is the first pedestrian-only bridge in Vietnam, designed exclusively for visitors to enjoy the view. This bridge has become one of Ho Chi Minh City's iconic landmarks, known for its beauty. It’s named Starlight Bridge because of the LED lights embedded in the surface, creating the illusion of walking on a blanket of stars, offering a unique experience in the city.

Located in District 7, Ho Chi Minh City, Starlight Bridge is an ideal spot for couples, especially on Christmas Eve. At night, the bridge glows brilliantly with lights, resembling a ribbon of stars illuminated by seven colorful beams. The area around the bridge is decorated with festive Christmas lights, providing plenty of photo opportunities. In addition, the nearby parks, canal paths, and riverside panorama are perfect for a fun evening with friends.

If Hanoi has Hang Ma Street, then Ho Chi Minh City has Chinatown - Hai Thuong Lan Ong, located at the intersection of Hai Thuong Lan Ong and Trieu Quang Phuc streets. This area is famous for its wide variety of Christmas items, offering everything from decorations to festive gifts. If you want to experience the Christmas spirit, this place is a must-visit.

While Christmas decorations can be found in many shops across Saigon, the Chinatown district in Hai Thuong Lan Ong remains a favorite, especially among the younger crowd. Unlike the busy Mid-Autumn Festival, the area offers a more relaxed atmosphere where you can explore a wide range of holiday decorations and enjoy the early Christmas vibes.

When discussing Christmas attractions in Ho Chi Minh City, Pham The Hien Catholic Neighborhood in District 8 is a must-mention. It's one of the most popular and eagerly awaited places during the Christmas season. True to its name, the area is lavishly decorated for the holiday.

Pham The Hien Street stretches for over 3 kilometers, lined with several grand churches and adorned with stunning nativity scenes and statues. Hundreds of nativity displays, snow-covered Christmas trees, Santa Claus figures, and statues of the Virgin Mary and Jesus Christ in various colors are set up by locals in front of homes, along sidewalks, and at street corners. This transforms the area into a lively and meaningful Christmas wonderland. What could be more enchanting than strolling hand in hand with a loved one down this dazzling, brightly lit street?

Bitexco Tower is located in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City. It's the perfect spot for a unique Christmas experience. Here, you can purchase tickets to enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of the city through a telescope from the tallest building in Ho Chi Minh City.

Bitexco offers a fantastic vantage point if you want to take in the city's stunning nightscape on Christmas Eve. Standing at 262 meters with 68 floors, Bitexco allows you to explore the remarkable space while enjoying the view from above. Don't forget to snap some photos to capture this unforgettable moment!

Although it was only introduced at Christmas 2015, these charming little snow villages have quickly captured the hearts of those seeking a European-style Christmas atmosphere, yet have never had the chance to visit Europe. With temperatures as low as -10°C, visitors are required to bundle up in warm clothing to fully enjoy the European-style 'snow play' experience. Ticket prices are 100,000 VND for adults and 50,000 VND for children.

What's unique is that Saigon residents get to experience temperatures below 10°C, a rarity in the city, thanks to over 20 high-powered air conditioning units. Additionally, thousands of artificial snowflakes fall around you, creating a winter wonderland atmosphere with a delightful sense of novelty and joy for visitors.

Built in 1884 and located at 40 Nha Chung, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi, St. Joseph's Cathedral features Gothic architecture, combining classic elegance with modern European style from the 19th century.

On Christmas Eve, Hanoi's churches are filled with dazzling lights, and St. Joseph's Cathedral is one of the most beloved places to celebrate Christmas. Located in the heart of Hanoi, it draws crowds from all over the city, making it an ideal spot for taking photos and counting down to a warm Christmas moment.

Large Christmas trees are carefully decorated, and the famous nativity scene behind the church is more sparkling than ever. Despite the crowds, people are happy to join the festive spirit, soaking in the peaceful and warm atmosphere of Christmas.

Every Christmas, St. Joseph's Cathedral shines brightly and becomes a cherished destination for those seeking a sacred and peaceful holiday season. For the youth, it’s one of the most popular spots to celebrate Christmas in Hanoi, especially during Christmas 2019.

When talking about Hanoi, one cannot forget Hoan Kiem Lake. Usually a beautiful spot, the lake becomes even more magical during Christmas. The area around the lake is adorned with twinkling lights, Christmas trees, and Santa Claus figures. You can enjoy the Christmas spirit at a cozy spot in one of the 'Old Quarter cafés' along Hang Gai Street, sipping on a hot and delicious egg coffee while overlooking the lake. Stroll hand in hand with a loved one, enjoy the scenery, and visit the night market with a variety of unique items.

The pedestrian zone is also brightly lit, making it an ideal place for photo opportunities to capture beautiful, sparkling moments. Hoan Kiem Lake is a perfect place for enjoying colorful art performances such as art exhibitions, acoustic music, or lively Zumba dances. During Christmas, there are even more performances and events, especially for the youth of Hanoi.

Additionally, the surrounding area offers familiar food stalls and delicious dishes you should try at least once. Spending Christmas Eve here is truly a unique and memorable experience.

As Christmas approaches, the vibrant Hang Ma Street in Hanoi comes alive with festive energy. For years, this area has been the go-to place for locals to shop for Christmas decorations. The entire street is filled with a wide variety of colorful items, perfectly capturing the spirit of the season.

This Christmas, don't miss a visit to Hang Ma Street, one of the charming streets in Hanoi's Old Quarter. When the French arrived in northern Vietnam in 1872, they named the street Rue du Cuivre. Known for its traditional craft of making paper offerings and decorations, this street is always bustling with people from all over, shopping and soaking in the festive atmosphere. During Christmas, the street is decorated beautifully, glowing with lights. It's the perfect place to stroll, take memorable photos, and enjoy the holiday cheer.