The Christmas atmosphere is easy to experience as churches start putting up decorative lights, nativity scenes, Christmas trees and statues. Some photos of Hanoi:

Christmas tree at Thinh Liet Church

Ke Set Church

Ham Long Church's popular light decorations

St. Joseph's Cathedral with a large Christmas tree

Children rehearse for a performance at the church

Thach Bich parish's church decorated for Christmas

Dtinews

Hanoi becomes official member of UNESCO’s Creative Cities Network

Chief Representative of the UNESCO Office in Vietnam Michael Croft presented a certificate recognising Hanoi as an official member of the UNESCO’s Creative Cities Network to Hanoi Chairman Nguyen Duc Chung yesterday.

Hanoi pavements encroached as year-end shopping demand rises

Pavements are increasingly encroached upon in Hanoi during the final months of the year as shopping demand rises.