Hanoi celebrates Christmas and New Year in lively style, even though only 1 January is an official holiday.
- Christmas Eve: St Joseph's Cathedral (Nha Chung Street) and Cua Bac Church are beautifully decorated; very crowded from 8 pm.
- Hoan Kiem Lake walking streets: the New Year's Eve countdown atmosphere on 31 December.
- Big malls (Lotte, Vincom, Aeon): Christmas trees and decorations, great for photos.
- December weather: cool, about 15–20°C, sometimes below 12°C; bring a jacket.
Note: Hoan Kiem and the cathedral area are packed, so hold your phone tightly; many streets close to traffic, so walk or get Grab to pick you up a few streets away.