HO CHI MINH CITY, Vietnam -- Just across the street from the Communist Youth Union, fake snowflakes swirled in the hot, humid air as a skinny Santa Claus flanked by two elves in miniskirts swayed to "Jingle Bells," "Silent Night" and "Let It Snow."
At twilight, throngs gathered on the square outside the upscale Diamond Plaza shopping center to enjoy a holiday scene out of a Currier & Ives Christmas card. Young women posed in front of replica wintry white trees as their boyfriends snapped photos. Vendors sold Santa balloons to parents for their small children. Gia Linh adjusted a Santa cap on her head as she sang along with "We Wish You a Merry Christmas," which was playing so loudly it filled the entire block.
