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Halloween originated in Christian countries. The name is a combination of the words Hallows Eve (also known as All Saints' Day), celebrated on the last day of October, with the purpose of praying for the souls of the deceased. The festivities begin in the evening of October 31st and continue until midnight. Therefore, Halloween 2022 will fall on Monday, October 31st.
Halloween is a traditional festival celebrated annually on October 31st, considered a holiday and one of the most enjoyable festivals of the year, especially for young people, due to its mysterious and exciting games.
In Vietnam, Halloween is a relatively new cultural event introduced during the era of openness. Unlike its original form, Halloween in Vietnam is primarily a time for fun and celebration, rather than one with strong religious or ritualistic elements.
Giap Le Tu, currently an office worker, said that his workplace has recently been organizing office decorating activities and gatherings for other occasions like Christmas, not just Halloween. These activities help to make the office environment less boring and foster stronger connections among colleagues.
Giap Le Tu's costume was based on the image of singer Britney Spears.
Speaking about the differences between Halloween in Vietnam and abroad, Giáp Lê Tú shared: "In Vietnam, from what I've observed, about 10 years ago it was only a budding phenomenon in one or two bars, and only those with strong personalities (more LGBT) would dress up to portray their desired characters. But in the last four years, Halloween has truly become a much-anticipated occasion for costume enthusiasts because no one will judge or find it strange; simply put, dressing up on this day is not criticized and is even sought after by everyone and the media. The more elaborate, glamorous, and unique the costume, the more admired it is. Entertainment venues also boldly carry out many activities, decorations, and gifts for those with the most unique costumes. However, in Vietnam, it's often just about dressing up and not understanding the true meaning of Halloween. Abroad, especially in Europe and America, this day originated in their countries, so the history has many interesting stories." "It's more meaningful and significant than simply dressing up in costume."
For Halloween, dressing up is perhaps the only activity Giáp Lê Tú enjoys during this time. It's the only occasion to dress differently from social norms without being ridiculed or judged.
The costume party is a highly anticipated event on this day. Each person chooses a costume to dress up in, aiming for the most unique and impressive look. People are free to transform themselves into their favorite characters, such as cartoon characters, movie actors, scary animals, people with bizarre or spooky faces, and then parade together joyfully through the streets.
For Tran Thuan, on this day she dislikes crowded places because of the noise, dust, and traffic jams. Instead, she prefers gathering with her friends to have fun together. A more extravagant celebration might involve organizing a party, preparing a feast, holding a contest to see who has the best costume, or showcasing talents…
Instead of going to crowded places, Tran Thuan prefers cozy parties with friends and playing games together.
"A simpler option is to invite a friend to watch a horror movie, as many horror films are released in theaters at the end of October. If you don't want to go to the cinema, you can organize a movie viewing at home, which is more free, fun, and relaxed," Tran Thuan said.
In addition, checking in at cafes decorated in a Halloween style also attracts many young people during this time. "Impressive Halloween-decorated cafes" is a phrase that some young people have been searching for recently, as they plan to visit and take photos for social media during the upcoming "festival of ghosts and ghouls."
Hanh Moe also showed off her lovely photos next to a giant pumpkin in a cafe. Her clever choice of outfit, along with the cafe's color scheme, resulted in some incredibly stylish pictures. Scrolling through these photos, people are getting excited and are eagerly preparing their own outfits to dress up as country girls and guys from Western Europe.
Hanh Moe showed off her lovely photos taken at a cafe decorated in a Halloween theme.
"If you're unsure where to take Halloween photos, choosing a cafe decorated in a Halloween style is quite ideal. The photos I took at the cafe looked like an 'autumn field' rather than the usual spooky Halloween concept," Hạnh Moe said.
Halloween originated from the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain in Europe. Due to cultural exchange and the development of media, Halloween has become a favorite holiday among young people today. Although it only lasts for one night, Halloween is one of the biggest festivals in North America. People there spend a lot of money each year on costumes, candy, and decorations with the sole purpose of… scaring each other.
In addition, popular Halloween activities include: children dressing up and knocking on neighbors' doors to ask for candy, costume parties, bonfires, pumpkin carving, bobbing for apples, pranks, watching or telling scary movies, etc.
Dressing up in costumes is considered the most attention-grabbing activity.
However, many countries around the world view this day as an occasion to remember the deceased, including saints, martyrs, and all faithful believers who have passed away. The traditional focus of Halloween revolves around the theme of using "humor and mockery to confront the power of death."
While Halloween was once celebrated only in Western Catholic countries, the blend of religious rituals and ancient customs from various cultures has transformed it into an annual cultural event eagerly anticipated by people worldwide.
Like in Western countries, Halloween in Vietnam has become a special occasion, a playground for young people to indulge their creative passions and unique costume preferences. This entertaining holiday is an opportunity for them to have fun and relieve stress and fatigue.
