There are few obvious things to do in Vietnam’s Ho Chi Minh City at Christmas, largely because Christmas just isn’t as big a deal here as it is in the Western world.
This is hardly surprising given the relatively low population of Christians in Vietnam compared to the population as a whole, and while the West drives itself slightly insane with Christmas shopping frenzies and Christmas pudding cooking, Vietnam tends to be no more crazy than it is all year round.
But this doesn’t mean that Christmas isn’t celebrated at all. The Vietnamese are always ready to have fun, and Christmas is a great chance to get outside and celebrate! Ho Chi Minh City lights up at Christmas time with thousands of string lights and Christmas decorations, and the city fills with hundreds of people who are reveling in the chance to be festive.
So how can you best enjoy this Christmas excitement?
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Bui Vien Street
Why not make some friends this Christmas? Park 23/9 in District 1 is known for its gaggles of students looking to practice their English with native speakers. They roam the park, pouncing on unsuspecting foreigners, and often end up making friends with their victims and taking them for a beer. If you are a native speaker, go to the park this Christmas and wait for a group of festive students to befriend, before wandering off to the backpacker strip for a ridiculous amount of laughter, beers and dried squid.
Take me to Church
Built in 1880, the Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon is a testament to the importance of Catholicism in Vietnam.
Christmas is a time for lights, smiles, family and merriment with communities all round the world, but for Christians it holds a whole other significance. The beautiful Notre Dame Cathedral in District 1 is a well-known historical icon of Ho Chi Minh City, but it is also a functioning Catholic Church and every Christmas it holds truly special services for its Christian congregation. For insight into Christianity in Saigon, or for a glimpse of the peaceful, religious side of this international celebration, visit the Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral this Christmas.
Sit in the Sky and Watch the Ants
Another way to get into Saigon’s Christmas festivities without getting lost under the feet of revelers is to sit at one of the city’s many rooftop bars and watch the ants. From the famous Chill Skybar and its incredible panoramic views to the homely rooftop at The View on Bui Vien, rooftop bars in general provide a great angle for watching people with a cool drink in hand. Check out for our piece on Saigon’s 11 best rooftop bars for a great selection this December!
Embrace Your Inner Tourist
Tourists crowd the Bui Vien Walking Street, located within the so-called ‘backpacker area’ in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Huu Thuan
Christmas Eve and Christmas Day are two days of the year when being a shameless, photo-taking, gawking tourist is not only acceptable but almost mandatory. Ho Chi Minh City is beautiful at this time of year, bedecked with strings of lights and dazzling banners, and dotted with the occasional gaudy Santa or glaring Christmas tree. It can be hard to tell which decorations are for Christmas and which are for Tet, but at the end of the day it doesn’t really matter!
Christmas Day, like Halloween and all other Western celebrations, tends to bring masses of congestion to the already-bustling Saigon, so walking is the best option. Get outside with your camera, or just your eyes, and join the city in being happy.
Be Romantic on the River
Ho Chi Minh City is beautiful all year round, with its endlessly buzzing streets and thousands of twinkling lights, but during the festive season the city comes alive with decorations. However, sometimes the streets can be a little overwhelming!
Why not get away from the bustle of the city streets and onto the ancient, lazy Saigon River? The river itself, though definitely not as clear and blue as it once was, is a beautiful reminder of Saigon’s past and present, and a romantic cruise on one of Artisan Cruises luxurious barges is a great standpoint from which to watch the city in all its finery.
Escape!
Is Ho Chi Minh City too busy for you at Christmas time? Do you crave the beach, the sea, and nice cool glass of something that screams ‘I-am-classy-and-very-relaxed!’? Well, why not get away to beautiful beach city of Nha Trang this Christmas for a long weekend on the soft sand of Nha Trang Beach.
Luxurious Novotel Hotel Nha Trang is holding a range of special offers this December from their delicious Christmas buffet and drinks to a range of discount packages at the hotel.
Stay with Novotel at famous Nha Trang Beach this festive season, relax in the shade, eat your fill and watch the sun fall behind the deep East Sea.
Source: citypassguide