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Countdown to Christmas - Week 11 - Vietnam
Laughing Santas in Hanoi; photo courtesy of Crossing Travel
Christmas in Socialist Republic of Vietnam has had a tumultuous history. Even though the traditional Vietnamese religions are Buddhism and the Chinese philosophies of Taoism and Confucianism, Christmas is one of the four most important festivals of the Vietnamese year. The other three religious celebrations include the birthday of Buddha, Tet the Lunar New Year and the Mid-autumn Festival. During the French rule (1887-1954), many people in French Indochina (as Vietnam was known then) became Christians, mainly Catholics. After the Vietnam War came to an end in 1975 and a Communist government took over, Christians celebrated Christmas very quietly in their own homes. But, with economic reforms and more liberal policies in the late 1980’s, Christmas began to be celebrated openly again. Even though only 8% - 10% of Vietnamese are Christians, Christmas is celebrated by all religions in Vietnam. Christmas Eve, rather than Christmas Day (which is NOT a national holiday), is the most important day for parties, socializing and elaborate dinners and is a blend of many religious influences.
The Vietnamese have embraced the Western way of decorating for Christmas. Decorations are set up early in December. Since the color red is seen as a color of luck and happiness in Vietnam, Santa Claus is found everywhere. Almost every major church, such as the Notre Dame Cathedral Basilica in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) or Saint Joseph Cathedral in Hanoi, have a nativity crib scene or 'creche' with life-sized statues of Mary, Joseph, baby Jesus (“Kito” as he is known), the shepherds and animals. Lights sparkle everywhere, on the streets, in shop windows and in front of houses. In some areas of Ho Chi Minh City, usually in Catholic parishes, people also put up large crib scenes in front of their houses and decorate the whole street in lights, known as xom dao turning the street into a Christmas extravaganza. Here's a video, the last half is especially amazing: CHRISTMAS in Vietnam: Beautiful Saigon at Night
Black and MultiColor Hat and Scarf Set with Earwarmer Handmade by Ruth of RSSDesignsInFiber
After cleaning house, washing the traditional china and polishing the silverware, families decorate a kumquat tree or peach blossom branches with Christmas ornaments. Flowers, of any kind, the brighter the better, are also used. If they can afford to, many families throw out their old rice cookers and buy a new one to rid the kitchen of bad luck. The ancestral altar is also prepared with five fruit varieties and votive papers (paper objects meant to resemble money or precious metals and burned to honor ancestors and remove bad luck). Everyone gets new clothes and shoes. The general the attitude is “out with the old, in with the new.”
Alice in Wonderland Favor Tags - Set of 24 - Handmade by Nat of Adore By Nat
On December 23, many families celebrate Tet Tao Quan (Kitchen God(s) Day). The deity, known as Ong Tao, Ong Lo or Ong Vua Bep (or Tao Quan when all three are grouped together), is honored by the same traditions practiced at the ancestral altar. Instead of the wealth-inspired paper votives, only three votive papers are used, two black and one yellow, meant to recall the two men and one woman in the legend that inspired the devotion. A bowl with three small carp are also at the altar, meant to reinforce traditional Vietnamese respect for animals, without which they would be forced to eat only vegetables, grains, nuts and fruits. The carp are set free into a lake or pond after the holidays.
Blue, Pink and Gold Flower Pendant Necklace Handmade by Barbara of SolanaKaiDesigns
On December 24, Catholics in Vietnam attend Midnight Mass. After mass, they usually join the people in the city center, especially in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, to join in the celebration. People like to dress up for the Christmas festivities. In Ho Chi Minh City the clothes are mainly tropical in nature while in Hanoi, since it can be bitterly cold, heavier clothes are worn. Many photographs are taken in front of Christmas displays and people stroll down the street enjoying the Christmas decorations and lights of big hotels and department stores. Cafes and restaurants are open for people to buy a snack and to people watch. Cars are forbidden in the city center during the celebration to make room for the (sometimes rowdy) celebrants of any religion who mingle together to have fun. Confetti (LOTS of it) is also thrown, suggesting a peaceful “marriage” of two formerly separate geographical areas, North and South Vietnam, as well as a marriage of cultures, ancient Oriental Buddhism and modern Catholicism. Here is a short video: Christmas in Vietnam
Etched Hawaiian Clay Lampwork Glass Beads Orange Terracotta Handmade by Charlotte of Covergirlbeads
A special Christmas dinner is then eaten; because of the French influence, it is called “reveillon.” Again, due to the French influence, roast turkey, roast goose, roast duck or ham might be eaten, but with sides of traditional Vietnamese food. The meal always starts out with a phở gà (tradition chicken soup with noodles) or wontons in chicken broth, bánh khoai môn (fried taro cake), xôi bắp (sticky rice with hominy and fried shallots), bánh xèo (sizzling rice crepes), bánh bao (steamed pork buns) and a host of other dishes might be served. With a bow to the French again, the meal finishes with a Christmas pudding and/or a “Būche de Noël,” a chocolate Christmas cake that looks like a log.
Children of any religion in Vietnam believe in the existence of Santa Claus and put their shoes in front of their doors on Christmas Eve. On Christmas morning, they wake up to hopefully find their shoes filled with treats and presents laid under the Christmas tree. Gifts are exchanged between adults, but not on the grand scale as in Western countries.
Merry Christmas in Vietnamese: Chúc Mừng Giáng Sinh
Now, onto the Countdown to Christmas 2016 - Week 11, filled with artisan handmade items (see above and below), perfect ideas for Christmas gift giving.
With the fast approaching gift giving season in mind, Julie and Blu of Blue Morning Expressions are hosting a twelve-week Countdown to Christmas 2016 on their The Blu Print blog. The twelve week time period was chosen to correspond with the Christmas carol “The Twelve Days of Christmas.” This week, there were 60 shares by artists of a wide range of handmade gift ideas: jewelry of all types, pet themed gifts, crocheted and sewn beauties, favor tags, paintings, photography, vintage items, lampwork beads and a whole host of other items.
Let it Snow Santa Claus Case, Padded Phone Case, Stocking Stuffer, Grab Bag Gift
Shop owners on Indiemade, ArtFire, Zibbet, Etsy, SupaDupa, stand alone websites and the like are welcome to share up to three gift items on the Countdown between Friday afternoon at 12:00 p.m. (Eastern time) and Sunday night at 11:59 p.m. Then a new collection of gift items will begin again the next Friday. This will continue until the second week in December. The items shared need to be G-rated.
Women's Hand Knit Cranberry Hobo or Fingerless Gloves Handmade by Cathy of CraftingMemories1
If you share items on the Countdown to Christmas you MUST promote the collection and EACH item on at least one social network site, preferably Pinterest where the items can be easily seen and then saved again. It's only fair to promote each of the participants who have promoted you!
In addition to saving each item from the Countdown collection to my Pinterest board and Wanelo collection, I decided to share one item from each of the artists who participated. Here are the rest of the items I’m featuring this week, in an order that was arranged by assigning each item a number and then drawing numbers from my trusty “numbers” bowl. Enjoy!
Christmas Tree Earrings Handmade by Linda of Linor Store Jewelry
Victorian Style Pink Pearl Beaded Watch with Bronze Handmade by LInda of TreasuresOfJewels
Snow Witch With Star Christmas Ornament Handmade by Nancy of WyvernDesignsHome
Dark Dusty Rose and Amethyst Necklace with Artistic Jasper Pendant Handmade by Kathy of KatsAllThat
Snowman Best Buddy Embroidered Apron Set Handmade by Mary of SimpleEmbroiderySew
I hope you have enjoyed this sampling of some of the handmade gift items that can be found in the Countdown collection hosted by Julie and Blu of Blue Morning Expressions. To see all the items in the collection, please click here: Countdown to Christmas 2016 - Week 11. I hope that at least one, maybe more, items piqued your interest and made its way to your shopping list.
What will week 12, the last week of the Countdown, bring? MORE handmade and vintage beauties! I, for one, am looking forward to it!
If you are so inclined, please make my day and leave a comment (: Also any promotion will be greatly appreciated by everyone featured in this post. Thank you!
Countdown to Christmas - Week 1 - Norway
Countdown to Christmas - Week 2 - Italy
Countdown to Christmas - Week 3 - Ukraine
Countdown to Christmas - Week 4 - Kenya
Countdown to Christmas - Week 5 - Portugal
Countdown to Christmas - Week 6 - Iceland
Countdown to Christmas - Week 7 - Peru
Countdown to Christmas - Week 8 - Luxembourg
Countdown to Christmas - Week 9 - Fiji
Countdown to Christmas - Week 10 - Latvia
Comments
Fantastic selections
Thank you, Catherine for including my fingerless gloves in this fantastic blog. Shared.
That was a really interesting
That was a really interesting video. I enjoyed it along with the reading. Thanks so much for showing my copper music note earrings. Sharing...
Thank you Catherine for
Thank you Catherine for including my necklace, lovely gift ideas for the Christmas holidays. Will share.
Christmas traditions in Vietnam
Thank you for sharing your informative blog post about Vietnam Christmas traditions! Thank you also for including my Christmas bracelet. Promoting.
Enjoyed reading about Vietnam Christmas traditions
Enjoyed your post about Vietnam Christmas traditions. You have many lovely selections of handmade goodness. Thanks for including my lampwork beads.
Thank you Catherine
I love to learn all about different countries and their Christmas traditions. Thank you Catherine for sharing and for the hard work put into these blogs. Also, thank you for including my watch bracelet. Now my turn to share.
Who Knew?
Well, once again I have learned a lot from one of your blogs, Catherine. And it seems like Vietnam would be a very festive and fun place to spend the season. (Although as a vegetarian, I am not thrilled about the carp part as I think it's a good thing to live off of "vegetables, grains, nuts and fruits.") Thank you for including my necklace in your post. Off to share far and wide! Happy holidays!
Grateful
Catherine, thanks for sharing your worldwide Christmas traditions and for including my Christmas tree earrings.
Never would have suspected it.
Christmas in VietNam....that's a first hearing about that. You must really do some major research to find all these interesting facts. Thank you for the great effort and interesting read. And of course, for the promo! Will be sharing.
Thank you!
Thank you so much, everyone, for all the kind words!
Fascinating article and great gift guide!
Thanks for such an interesting article—now I want to decorate peach blossom branches for Christmas! :) Thanks too for the lovely selections from the BMECountdown to Christmas. Only one more week left—hard to believe, indeed! Will be sharing. Week 11 treats to Le Moosie from Le Gonze!
Thank you
Another great post! thank you so much for including my postcard. Love the Street light video thanks for sharing
Have a blessed day
CC
Just Wow
First off, that street looks like Florida in the winter when our snowbirds get here! Now, that's a Christmas stroll! What an interesting video to go with an interesting history. It seems remarkable that with such a small percentage of the country even being Christian that so many of the traditions have spilled over into the average household. Very cool. I did not miss the part on the video where he told her not to play with her food!
Thank you for including my charm chain in this fun post. Have shared everywhere.
Extra treats to your yard guard and lizard chaser from a lazy pooch with a bad haircut.
That's what Christmas is in
That's what Christmas is in Asia, in general, something that I am very familiar with. Sadly, I don't feel like Christmas when I am in Asia. No snow/ winter, no Christmas traditions. But I am glad I have my virtual friends, making me less disconnected so to speak. Thank you for including my pink elephant water bottle labels. Will share.
Thank you!
Enjoyed reading about Christmas in Vietnam! Thank you for including my Santa Claus case in this week's blog - can't believe the countdown is almost over....
Thank you
Thank you so much for the added promotion. I enjoyed the article. Have shared!
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