Residents and devout Christians are awestruck by a towering, spectacular Christmas tree with 2,340 conical hats that is glittering in Dong Nai Province.  

The Christmas tree with five layers of conical hats has been on display since last week at the Ha Phat Church in Bien Hoa Town, Dong Nai Province, which neighbors Ho Chi Minh City.

It took parishioners of the church three months to build this tree, 35 meters high.

"All parishioners are proud of this tree," said Nguyen Van Han, 50, head of the parishioner delegation.

This is the third year the church has made such a unique Xmas tree, which is 5 meters higher than the one last year.

The conical hats, or non la, a traditional and iconic headwear of the Vietnamese people made with palm leaves, have been attached in concentric circles to a metal framework to make the tree.

The layer at the bottom of the tree is the biggest, with a diameter of nearly 13 meters.

A pillar of concrete was built in the center to support the metal framework. "We had to make very careful calculations when building the pillar to ensure safety," said Han.

A closer look at the hats that make the Chritmas tree, built completely from contributions of parishioners.

An overview of the church whose yard hosts the tree.

The Xmas tree has been attracting thousands of people every day.

Phuong of Bien Hoa Town takes a photo of his wife and daughter with the tree. "We are all impressed by this tree, which stands so high and has such a unique design," he said.

"It is really beautiful to watch the conical hats shimmering in the light," said Pham Thi Thanh Huong, another local resident.

The tree will be on display until December 27.