Extending his Christmas greetings, Mr. Thuc acknowledged Catholic followers’ contributions to national development.

Festive season prevails all over street corners in Ho Chi Minh City. Christmas performances are taking place in community places around the city. To mark the occasion, gifts are presented to poor children and lonely elderly people. Nguyen An Hue, a Catholic follower in Binh Thanh said that she will deliver Christmas gifts to disadvantaged children in district 9: “I will present gifts to the kids and organize games for them to play. I often play music to accompany children’s singing and teach them singing as well.”

Approximately 900,000 Catholic followers in Dong Nai province will celebrate Christmas tonight. Nguyen Hoang Tuan is a Catholic follower in Bac Hai diocese in Bien Hoa city: “Christmas is a festive season not only of the Catholic but also everyone around the world because we all want peace. The God bless the humans with peace and love and everyone should be united.”

Festive activities are being held in other cities and provinces.