where to spend christmas in hanoi, Can I celebrate Halloween in Hanoi, Vietnam?

What is the atmosphere of Halloween in Hanoi, Vietnam?

Alternatively, if you love a more laid-back yet affluent Christmas, go to Nha Trang Beach. On December 25, it is all adorned with Christmas decorations, festive lighting, and festivities with live music. The beach also boasts a number of restaurants serving seafood, giving you grilled squid or crab cakes for Christmas lunch or dinner.

Although spending Christmas in the heart of Hanoi will merge local cultures with festivities completely, here are just a few suggestions about where to celebrate in and around the city of Hanoi.

1. Old Quarter (Hoan Kiem District): The Old Quarter of Hanoi becomes filled with vibrancy during the Christmas season, with Hung Ma and Hung Luoc Streets illuminated with lights and decorations exuding wonderful atmospheres. One could roam around having mouth-watering street food and feel the festive mood.

2. St. Joseph's Cathedral: Located on the borders of the Old Quarter, this neo-Gothic cathedral shines not only for the tourists but also for the locals. Christmas Eve is accompanied by a special midnight mass, adding special meaning to the occasion. Therefore, this corner around the Cathedral is alive with activities.

3. Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple: Do roam about Hoan Kiem Lake, seeming to look even nicer during Christmas. Its lighting may add to the Yuletide spirit in the lake without disturbing its fundamental tranquil beauty.

4. All shopping malls and hotels in Hanoi will have Christmas programs, decorations, and meticulously articulated menus with names like Trang Tien Plaza, Vincom Center, Sofitel Legend Metropole. It is undoubtedly the best place to get a taste of a more western-style Christmas-like carols, Santa Claus, festive buffet lunches and dinners.

5. Local Restaurants and Cafes: Most of the local restaurants and cafes serve specially designed menus around this time of the year and host a torrent of Christmas-themed events. As these venues get crammed, it might be prudent to make early reservations.

6. Charity Events and Community Celebrations: Charities and communities organize charity events and community celebrations in Hanoi, especially around Christmas time. For all the right reasons, what could be a finer avenue to show your Generation G kind of spirit than rocking up to these?

7. Tay Ho District (better known as West Lake Area): The area is still principally considered an expatriate enclave with upscale places of dining. Quite a handful of eateries and bars put on Christmas specials, and the lakeside walkways are just perfect for a quaint evening walk.

8. Water Puppet Theater: If you're looking for something especially cultural, one could look while waiting for a water puppet show-pretty un-Christmas like, but there is something magical about the primitive tradition of Vietnamese entertainment that should wrap your celebration.

Hanoi will surely steal your heart this Christmas, with a perfect blend of antiquity and modernity carving a memorable experience for you no matter where you celebrate.