Hanoi leaders have extended Christmas and New Year greetings to local Catholic dignitaries and followers over the past few days.
Chairman of Hanoi People's Committee Tran Sy Thanh on December 22 visited and congratulated the Evangelical Church of Vietnam (North) in Hoan Kiem District ahead of Christmas 2022 and New Year 2023.
On behalf of leaders of the municipal leadership, Chairman Tran Sy Thanh sent cordial greetings and wishes for a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year to the head of the Church Bui Van San, pastors, and missionaries.
Thanh briefed them on Hanoi's economic, cultural, and social development, and thanked their contributions to the common achievements, especially in the Covid-19 fight and post-pandemic recovery and development.
Chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee Tran Sy Thanh (fifth from left) presents flowers to congratulate the Vietnamese Evangelical Church (North). Photo: Cong Tho/The Hanoi Times |
The Hanoi mayor affirmed that the municipal authorities have consistently guaranteed people’s right to freedom of religion and belief, meeting rights and legitimate interests of religions, and creating conditions for religious followers, including Christians, to practice their faiths. The move helps strengthen the great national unity bloc and promote national development.
Thanh highlighted Hanoi’s socio-economic achievements in 2022 and attributed those successes partly to contributions by Catholic followers and dignitaries.
The official expressed his hope that the Evangelical Church of Vietnam (North) and its head Bui Van San will maintain coordination with local authorities and organizations to encourage followers to live a good secular and religious life and be exemplary and patriotic citizens.
Van San noted over the past years, the Hanoi government has always paid attention to the spiritual life of Church goers and created conditions for them to take part in religious activities.
He affirmed that in the time ahead, he will further encourage believers to stay united, comply with Hanoi's policies, and participate in patriotic emulation movements to contribute to the socio-economic development of the capital city and the country.
Earlier, on December 20, Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee Dinh Tien Dung also visited the Hanoi Archdiocese on the occasion of the upcoming Christmas season.
Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee Dinh Tien Dung (fourth from right) visits the Hanoi Archdiocese. Photo: Thanh Hai/The Hanoi Times |
Dung wished Archbishop of the Hanoi Bishopric Joseph Vu Van Thien together with priests and Catholic followers a warm and merry Christmas season.
Dung applauded parishioners of the Hanoi Archdiocese for their contributions to the capital city’s socio-economic achievements in 2022. “The success of projects and policies in the future will depend on the support and trust of the people, including parishioners,” he said.
He affirmed that the municipal authorities will try to address proposals of the Hanoi Archdiocese and called for support from priests and Catholic followers to successfully implement the city’s development goals and tasks in the coming time.
For his part, Archbishop Joseph Vu Van Thien expressed his gratitude to the municipal authorities for their facilitation of religious followers in the city.
Thien expressed his belief that with the orientations shared by the Hanoi Party leader, the city will develop more and more strongly in the future.
These days, Hanoi streets have been already filled with Christmas atmosphere. Many people, especially the young, flock to Hang Ma Street in the Old Quater to enjoy the early Christmas atmosphere.
As Christmas approaches, vivid and colorful decorations have already been sold at various shops and stores along Hang Ma Street, becoming a snapshot venue for Hanoi’s youngsters in the festive season. Photo: Duy Khanh/The Hanoi Times |
Hanoi streets have really got set for Christmas Eve festivities. The merry atmosphere has descended upon every corner. Christmas decorations are on sale along streets in the downtown area as Christmas Day fast approaches.
Shops are lit up in the evenings with a variety of decorative items such as Christmas trees, tinsel, reindeers, flashing lights, laurel wreathes, baubles, snow ropes, candy canes, and Santa’s clothes. Hanoians are eager to go shopping and enjoy the Christmas atmosphere although the weather is colder and colder.
Not just a festive occasion for Catholics, Christmas has also become popular among other Vietnamese in recent years. Besides the traditional Lunar New Year, Christmas and New Year's Eve have become the most joyful holidays people eagerly wait for.
