Four weeks ago in a taxi I heard two Christmas songs in a row on the FM station tuned in on the car radio. The tunes were well-known Christmas hymns, but the lyrics were in Vietnamese, so I am guessing that they were still Christmas songs. Nevertheless, I thought it was an anomaly and didn't think much more of it for another week until I heard Christmas tunes in stores. Christmas decorations are now cropping up quickly in stores and public spaces.
My favorite café has a Christmas tree (fake) as well as a Christian crèche. Since 10% of Vietnamese are Christians, this is not unusual. Vietnamese do not seem to be afraid to display their religion. Almost all houses here in HCMC have either Buddhist altars or Christian symbols prominently displayed, often in neon on the roof top or balcony.
I assume for now that it will be unlikely to find a real Christmas tree here in Ho Chi Minh City, but I would be thrilled to be proven wrong. It has to happen before 8 December when I head back to the good ol' USA for a month.
