If Saigon is the exuberant party host, Hanoi is the poetic soul. Winter in the capital is a mood, not just a season. As December settles over the city, travelers searching for the best Christmas activities in Hanoi will find a scene defined by romantic mist clinging to Hoan Kiem Lake and a crisp chill that demands wool coats. This is the season of ấm áp (coziness) — a feeling found in the steam rising from a cup of egg coffee and the golden light spilling out from French colonial windows.
For the visitor in 2025, the true magic is less about grand outdoor spectacles and more about intimate, indoor discoveries. It is about finding warmth in the details.
Let us guide you beyond the crowds of the Cathedral and into the city’s hidden winter charm.
Table of Contents
The Starting Point: St. Joseph's Cathedral
Of course, no guide to Christmas activities in Hanoi is complete without acknowledging the “Grand Dame” herself. St. Joseph’s Cathedral (Nhà Thờ Lớn) is the undeniable epicenter of the festive energy. On Christmas Eve, its Neo-Gothic facade glows against the dark winter sky, a beacon for thousands of locals who gather in the square to admire the towering tree.
Insider Tip: Go early to witness the spectacle and perhaps catch a glimpse of the choir preparation. But once you have admired the lights and braved the selfie-taking crowds, do not linger in the cold. Use the Cathedral as your compass, but venture into the nearby alleyways to find the city’s hidden warmth. St. Joseph’s Cathedral Christmas energy is vibrant, but the true romance of Hanoi lies just a few steps away from the noise.
The Street Spectacle: Outdoor Christmas Activities in Hanoi (Hang Ma)
If the Cathedral is the spiritual heart, Hang Ma Street is the frenetic, beating pulse. For those seeking the most colorful Christmas activities in Hanoi, a walk down this historic street is essential.
For a traveler, seeing Christmas here is a mild culture shock in the best possible way. Forget the silent, snowy nights of the West; Christmas in Vietnam is loud, neon-lit, and unapologetically vibrant.
A Unique "Made-in-Vietnam" Vibe
Located in the heart of the Old Quarter, Hang Ma (historically the street of paper votive offerings) transforms into a kaleidoscope of red, green, and gold every December. Nowhere else in the world will you see a traditional Asian heritage street, with its tube houses and ancient banyan trees, completely swallowed by miles of tinsel, giant Styrofoam snowmen, and handcrafted lanterns.
What is New in 2025?
For years, Hang Ma was infamous for its overwhelming crowds and merchandise spilling onto the road. However, Christmas 2025 marks a refreshing change. A new city initiative has returned the sidewalks to pedestrians, creating a cleaner, more breathable atmosphere.
The Experience
The Visuals
Why You Should Go
Best time to visit
What to buy
The Warmth of Tradition: Egg Coffee
When looking for indoor, Christmas activities in Hanoi to do in winter, nothing beats the city’s most famous liquid treasure: Egg Coffee (Cà phê trứng).
Skip the tourist-heavy spots with long lines. Instead, seek out the hidden cafes tucked away in the Old Quarter’s “tube houses.” In December, sipping this rich, custard-like concoction is akin to drinking liquid tiramisu by a fireplace. It is not just a drink; it is a ritual of warming up from the inside out. For a truly atmospheric experience, find a balcony seat overlooking the misty West Lake, watching the winter commuters rush by while you remain perfectly still and warm.
The Sanctuary of Scent: Perfume Workshop for Winter
For a modern and sophisticated escape from the chill, head to the West Lake (Tay Ho) district. Here, inside the polished halls of Lotte Mall West Lake, you will find a sanctuary dedicated to the sense most linked to memory: NOTE – The Scent Lab.
Participating in a perfume workshop here is one of the most unique Christmas activities in Hanoi. As the wind howls outside, you are enveloped in a warm, fragrant quiet. Under the guidance of experienced instructors, you can craft a bespoke perfume that captures your own “Hanoi Winter” – perhaps blending the rich, woody notes of sandalwood, the spice of cinnamon, and the crisp freshness of a northern breeze.
A Note on Gifting
The Sound of the City: Jazz & Opera
Hanoi’s French colonial heritage shines brightest in its appreciation for the arts, offering some of the most romantic things to do in Hanoi.
Immersive Opera House
For Christmas 2025, the Hanoi Opera House offers a rare, fleeting gift. Before closing its doors for a historic restoration in 2026, the “Grand Dame” is hosting a special exhibition: “Immersive Opera House: 115 Years of Tales”.
This is not a passive performance where you sit in a chair. It is a time-travel journey. Using cutting-edge light mapping and 3D sound technology, the show guides you through the velvet-draped halls, the “Mirror Room,” and the architectural soul of the building. As the winter wind howls outside, you are enveloped in warmth and history, witnessing the theater’s past 115 years come alive on the very walls that witnessed them. It is a poignant, unmissable chance to say goodbye to this icon before its long slumber, an unmissable addition to your itinerary of Christmas activities in Hanoi.
Ticket availability: Running until Dec 31, 2025. You can book on Ticketbox.
The Jazz Sanctuary
Alternatively, seek out the city’s legendary jazz clubs for a cozy night cap. Binh Minh Jazz Club is a place where the saxophone notes seem to cut through the winter fog. Sitting in a dimly lit room, wine in hand, listening to live jazz is the epitome of Hanoi’s winter sophistication.
The Taste of Winter: Elevated Local Flavors
To finish your evening of Christmas activities in Hanoi, move beyond the street stalls and discover the city’s rapidly evolving fine dining scene. While Hanoi is famous for pho, its modern culinary voice is defined by a wave of chefs reimagining Vietnamese heritage with contemporary precision.
Winter is the perfect season for this “slow dining.” Here are two standout choices for a sophisticated holiday meal.
GIA: Bring Vietnamese Culture to Life
At GIA, every detail is meticulously designed to breathe life into tradition, from the precise way the table is set to the narrative woven into each course. Deriving its name from gia đình (meaning “family”), the restaurant is a tribute to Chef Sam Tran and partner Long Tran’s deep longing for their homeland. For them, and for you, this is more than a meal – it is a homecoming.
The Philosophy
The Atmosphere
T.U.N.G Dining: The Innovative Escape
If you are starting your night at St. Joseph’s Cathedral, you don’t have to travel far for a world-class meal. Just a few steps away from the church and Hoan Kiem Lake, T.U.N.G Dining offers a “new breeze” to the capital’s food scene.
The Philosophy
The Menu
Dining at either of these venues is one of the most romantic things to do in Hanoi, offering an intimate, serene refuge that perfectly counters the chill outside.
Hanoi in December is a city of layers—both in clothing and in culture. It invites you to come inside, close the door on the cold, and find connection in a warm cup, a haunting melody, or a beautiful scent.
Whether you are standing before the grandeur of St. Joseph’s Cathedral or crafting a perfume in West Lake, we hope you enjoy these curated Christmas activities in Hanoi and find your own version of warmth this season.
Merry Christmas from the winter capital!
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