Mid-Autumn in Vietnam: A Meaningful Festival

Mid-Autumn in Vietnam – a long-standing traditional event that exhibits Vietnam’s innate appeal takes place. The festival is a time for families to gather, children to play, and people to give each other presents. The Mid-Autumn Festival has a long cultural and national history, and it is also a time to commemorate and appreciate family and community values.

The Autumnal Festival’s Tale

The Mid-Autumn Festival in Vietnam, also known as Tet Trung Thu, has a rich tale and is strongly tied to the moon.

Its origins can date back to agricultural customs. It originated in China during the Shang Dynasty and gradually spread to adjacent nations including Vietnam. The celebration is usually held during the fall harvest season. It serves as an opportunity for farmers to celebrate their hard work and express thanks for a bountiful crop.

The Mid-Autumn Festival is associated with the story of Cuoi and Ms. Hang, Chinese mythology’s Moon goddesses. It celebrates the bond between children and the Moon Goddess.

When is Vietnam’s Mid-Autumn Festival?

The Mid-Autumn Festival is usually held on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month, when the moon is at its fullest and brightest. This day is often in late September or early October.

The festival is not a public holiday, but there are festivities, activities, and decorations in many regions of the country to commemorate this special occasion on the yearly calendar.

How do the Vietnamese celebrate Mid-Autumn Festival?

Making Lovely Lanterns

Lion dance companies will perform on crowded streets in the weeks leading up to the Mid-Autumn Festival, and moon cake booths will sprout on every street.

The most popular Mid-Autumn Festival lanterns are stars made of red and blue cellophane and you can catch them on Vietnamese streets during this time of year. Lanterns are now made in a variety of distinct forms and sizes.

These lanterns are frequently embellished with artwork of the moon, animals, folklore, or cartoon characters. The bright lanterns light up the night, creating a joyful atmosphere and symbolizing the moon’s splendor.

The Lions Dances

The Lion Dance, or “mua lan,” is an important part of Vietnam’s Autumn Festival. You can see it at a variety of public venues, streets, and cultural events around Vietnam, including major cities such as Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

A group of dancers dress up as enormous lions and perform an amazing lion dance to the beat of joyous drums. These lion dances are exciting and a large number of youngsters, ranging from kids to teens, take part in them. The streets of the cities echo with the beat of drums, as several lions roam around.

It’s fascinating to watch the rhythmic motions, vibrant clothing, and traditional music.

These performances are a festival highlight, attracting locals as well as tourists to take in the joyful mood and tradition.

Mooncakes

Mooncakes – a traditional delicacy, are essential to the occasion.

Bakers embellish complex pastry blocks and cook them to a golden brown or mold them in the shape of a fish (carp and goldfish are popular).

The sweet filling of these spherical pastries is generally produced from lotus seed paste, red bean paste, or other components. They are exchanged and savored as a sign of togetherness and good fortune among family members and friends.

They also serve other traditional delights, like as sticky rice cakes, fruits, and sweets throughout the festivities.

Where the Mid Autumn Festival Is Most Joyously Celebrated?

Hoi An

The Hoi An Lantern Festival, formerly known as the Full Moon Lantern Festival, celebrates the full moon. Every month, on the 14th of the lunar month, it takes place.

The lanterns, as the name means, are the main attraction of this event. In and around the ancient town, lanterns are attractively lighted.

Visitors can take a walk around the lovely old town and watch people playing Chinese chess, folk performances, live music, and bright lanterns.

You can also take a Sampan ride along the Hoai River to experience the spectacular atmosphere of the Hoi An Lantern Festival.

Ha Noi

The Hanoi Old Quarter grows increasingly vivid and dazzling as the Mid-Autumn Festival approaches. The shimmer of lanterns and toys, especially in the evening, will provide an intriguing environment for young people to explore and snap pictures.

The ancient towns, notably the Hang Ma and Hang Dao streets are bustling with vendors selling lanterns, moon cakes, toys, etc.

During the Mid-Autumn Festival, several events will take place on Hang Ma Street and in the Hanoi Old Quarter. The opening ceremony, singing, dancing, and many other customary events.