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| Hello, and welcome to the Culture Class- Holidays in Vietnam series at VietnamesePod101.com. In this series, we’re exploring the traditions behind Vietnamese holidays and observances. I’m Michael, and you're listening to Season 1, Lesson 2 - Christmas |
| In Vietnam, Christmas or, Giáng sinh, is regarded as a public holiday even though it is not an official holiday. It is held from the evening of December 24 to December 25. |
| In this lesson, you’ll learn how Vietnamese people spend Christmas Day in Vietnam. |
| Now, before we get into more detail, do you know the answer to this question- |
| What’s the greeting Vietnamese people use most often on Christmas cards? |
| If you don't already know, you’ll find out a bit later. Keep listening. |
| About a week before Christmas, trade centers and major hotels in Vietnam start to decorate pine trees around their properties to make Christmas trees, or cây thông Nô-en. People also put up decorative Santa Claus, or ông già Nô-en, reindeer mannequins, and many colorful lights to draw people's attention. On Christmas Day, Catholic families prepare to attend the Mass at their parish churches, which are also decorated with shimmering lights to welcome parishioners on Christmas Eve, or đêm Giáng sinh in Vietnamese. |
| Although the majority of Vietnamese people are Buddhist, Christmas has become a widely-welcomed cultural festival in Vietnam. Young people in particular, including those who are not Catholic, eagerly prepare gifts for friends and loved ones on this holiday. After having meals, and going out and taking pictures with the Christmas trees and large snowmen, couples and groups of friends usually go to churches, or nhà thờ, to watch parishioners take part in the Mass and feel the atmosphere of Christmas Day more fully. |
| But of course, it wouldn't be complete if we didn't mention the most familiar character associated with Christmas: Santa Claus. Foreign companies in Vietnam often hire a person to play Santa Claus and perform in Christmas parties, or bữa tiệc Giáng sinh, for employees and their families. LIkewise, Santa Claus appears in large entertainment centers to pose for photos with children. In the week before Christmas, events in which Santa Claus delivers Christmas gifts are also popular. During this time of year, you will inevitably see a lot of Santa Clauses delivering gifts in person, not just sitting on sleighs pulled by reindeer or cars. They sometimes even drive motorbikes! |
| Now it's time to answer our quiz question! |
| What’s the greeting Vietnamese people use most often on Christmas cards? |
| The most popular greeting on Christmas cards is "Chúc Giáng sinh an lành!" which means “Merry Christmas!” Also, you can find Chúc Giáng sinh vui vẻ và ấm áp! meaning “Wishing you a happy and warm Christmas Day” on many cards. |
| So listeners, how was this lesson? Did you learn something interesting? |
| How do people celebrate Christmas in your country? |
| Please leave a comment telling us at VietnamesePod101.com, and we’ll see you next time! |
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