Young people in Dong Nai create vibrant Christmas colors

As December arrives, the Christmas spirit has spread across coffee shops, shopping centers, and street corners throughout Dong Nai. Notably, at many coffee shops and community spaces, young people are not only coming to check in but are also eagerly and proactively participating in decorating handmade items, helping to create warm, vibrant, and colorful festive spaces.

A coffee shop on Tran Phu Street, Binh Phuoc Ward, decorates a Christmas corner with a vibrant tree and a snowman model. Photo: Minh Nhat

Christmas is not only a religious holiday but also an occasion for bonding, showcasing creativity, and beautifying the community, adding meaning and warmth to the festive season.

The appeal of Christmas-themed spaces

Along major central streets across the province, such as Pham Van Thuan Street and Nguyen Ai Quoc Street, as well as the areas surrounding shopping centers and Dong Xoai Market, festive lights and decorations brighten the city in anticipation of Christmas. Coffee shops, gift stores, and even small alleyways are adorned with signature red and green tones, creating a lively and refreshing holiday atmosphere. More than just a shopping occasion, Christmas is becoming a “season of experiences,” clearly reflecting the growing inclination among urban youth toward enjoyment and connection.

This year’s Christmas decor market got an early start, with activity picking up by late November. On bustling commercial streets such as Vo Thi Sau (Tran Bien Ward) and at the Phu Thien Kim night market (Binh Phuoc Ward), items like artificial Christmas trees, multi-colored decorative lights, ornaments, Santa figurines, and reindeer models have been selling strongly. Prices vary widely, from around 100,000 VND for small accessory sets, such as string lights or ribbons, to 500,000 to 1 million VND for artistic lighting sets or large Christmas trees that range in height from 1 to 2.1 meters. Rising demand has prompted many shops to replenish their stock continuously to meet the needs of consumers.

Nguyen Tan Hoang, owner of C.A.M. Coffee Shop on Le Duan Street (Binh Phuoc Ward), shared: “The closer we get to Christmas, the more dazzling the coffee shops and central streets become. The decor focuses on details such as wreaths, scented candles, and specialty drinks, including cinnamon-infused beverages and hot cocoa. When the space is thoughtfully arranged, customers feel cozy, stay longer, and usually return more often.”

Many handmade stores in Trang Dai, Tam Hiep, and Chon Thanh wards are offering eco-friendly Christmas products, including wreaths made from dried leaves, wooden assembly models, soy-wax scented candles, and customized 3D pop-up cards.

Nguyen Thi Bao Truc, who sells handmade knitted items on Nguyen Phuc Chu Street (Trang Dai Ward), said that this year's customers prefer personalized, long-lasting, and low-waste gifts, such as knitted Christmas trees or beadwork shaped into Christmas figures that buyers can assemble themselves.

“Shoppers now care not only about aesthetics but also the message and refinement behind each gift,” Nguyen Thi Bao Truc added.

Young people’s proactive combination of celebration and social engagement shows that Christmas is no longer simply a traditional holiday but has been locally adapted to align with the cultural context. These activities not only generate positive social impact but also contribute to fostering responsible consumption habits, serving as an orientation that the local commerce and service sectors are actively promoting.

A more beautiful and meaningful Christmas season

In recent years, the Christmas spirit has extended beyond religious circles to become a widely anticipated cultural celebration. Images of agencies, businesses, residential communities, and parishioners decorating together reflect the extent to which the festive atmosphere has spread. Notably, today’s young people are no longer simply waiting for Christmas to enjoy it, as they are proactively creating meaningful activities and crafting decorations by hand.

Tran Khanh Vy (Tam Hiep Ward), a young Catholic, shared: “Christmas isn’t just about photos or shopping. In our parish, we often volunteer to create reusable decorations for neighborhood or community centers. Everyone wants to make the season more beautiful and meaningful, not just enjoy it.”

According to Vy, many young parishioners this year are taking the initiative to build nativity scenes and decorate shared spaces using reusable, minimalist, and warm materials.

Young people in general are embracing Christmas in a very positive way. Bui Tan Phat (Tran Bien Ward) said: “I’m not Catholic, but every year I join friends to clean and decorate our homes and workplaces to bring in the Christmas spirit. During the season, we often visit light displays, take photos along festive streets, and stop by big parishes. Christmas feels joyful because everyone is open and friendly. I can truly feel the warmth and connection the holiday brings.”

According to Dr. Vo Nu Hanh Trang (Dong Nai University, Tam Hiep Ward), young people’s increasing involvement in Christmas activities reflects the dynamism of urban life and the emergence of a new cultural identity.

“Christmas has become an occasion for young people to express creativity, build connections, and demonstrate their sense of community contribution,” Dr. Vo Nu Hanh Trang remarked.

Dr. Vo Nu Hanh Trang believes that the most essential value lies in spreading the spirit of bringing beauty, joy, and meaning to the community. When young people utilize the Christmas season to connect with their community, create festive spaces, and promote kindness through small acts, the holiday assumes a more profound significance.

Young people should enjoy the Christmas season in a mindful and cultured way, avoiding short-term shopping trends. Experts recommend cultivating a “consumer aesthetic” and choosing sustainable products. When businesses and young people act responsibly together, the festive culture becomes a lasting value, not just a seasonal celebration.

The positive and mindful embrace of Christmas by young people demonstrates that it is no longer just a religious holiday, but has become an integral part of modern community life, where people come together to beautify shared spaces and foster a spirit of connection.

By Le Duy, Thuy Tien – Translated by Quynh Giao, Minho