All You Need To Know About Mid Autumn Festival In Vietnam

The Mid Autumn Festival in Vietnam, widely referred to as “Tet Trung Thu” in Vietnam or the Full Moon Festival, holds significant cultural and familial importance in the nation. It falls on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month, which corresponds to September. This festival is deeply ingrained in Vietnamese tradition, symbolizing unity and togetherness among families.

Any traveler who happens to be in Vietnam during this time might have the chance to witness numerous beautiful festivities. Let’s examine the traditions and customs of celebrating this colorful festival in Vietnam.

Origin Of The Vietnamese Mid-Autumn Festival

This full moon festival has several stories behind

While the Mid-Autumn Festival began in China and is celebrated across Asia, the Vietnamese version has its own rituals and tales.

The most famous Vietnamese story is about a man named Cuoi, a man who was taken to the moon by a magical banyan tree. According to the legend, Cuội lives on the moon and looks down upon the Earth during the festival. Children often sing songs about Cuoi and the moon, adding a whimsical touch to the festivities.

In Vietnam, the rice harvest season begins at the start of the eighth lunar month. During this time, parents are usually occupied with fieldwork and have limited time for their children. The full moon this month provides them with a chance to make up for lost time and enjoy quality moments with their children. It is also an auspicious time to make offerings to deities to express gratitude for a successful harvest. Therefore, children play a primary role in this event in Vietnam.

5 Ways People Celebrate Mid Autumn Festival In Vietnam

Enjoy Traditional Mooncakes

No Mid-Autumn Festival celebration is complete without the iconic mooncakes. These dense, round pastries are usually filled with sweet ingredients like lotus seed paste, salted egg yolks, or nuts and seeds. Mooncakes come in a variety of flavors and decorative designs, making them a popular gift to give family and friends during this time.

Many bakeries and shops will have special mooncake displays and sales leading up to the festival. You can find mooncakes at markets, supermarkets, and specialty stores. Some hotels and restaurants may also offer mooncake-making or tasting experiences.

Do not miss this sweet treat during the Mid Autumn Festival

Lantern Parades and Performances

During the Mid-Autumn Festival, one of the liveliest events is the colorful lantern parade with performances. People carry large, elaborate lanterns shaped like animals, flowers, and scenes from folklore through the streets. These lanterns are often accompanied by music and dance.

Lion and dragon dances are a common sight during the Mid-Autumn Festival. These traditional performances are believed to bring good luck and drive away evil spirits. The dances are accompanied by the rhythmic beating of drums and cymbals, creating a lively and festive atmosphere.

Major cities like Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Hoi An are great places to witness these lively lantern processions. Many neighborhoods and communities also organize their own smaller-scale lantern parades. Be sure to arrive early to get a good spot to watch the mesmerizing spectacle.

Family Gatherings 

Many Vietnamese families will gather for a reunion dinner, where they enjoy mooncakes and other festive foods while admiring the full moon in the sky. After the meal, adults and children alike will often go outside to gaze at the moon, a tradition believed to bring good luck and prosperity. Some may even light candles or lanterns and make wishes as they stare up at the bright, beautiful moon.

Make Beautiful Lanterns

Even though the main event takes place on the 15th night of the lunar month, the festive atmosphere can be felt for weeks leading up to it. During the preparation period, lanterns are a prominent feature. While there are colorful pre-made lanterns available for purchase on the streets, children are more excited about making their own lanterns.

Traditionally, lanterns are shaped like stars or carps. They are simple to make using bamboo sticks and colored paper. Inside the lantern, a candle is lit. In contemporary lanterns, LED lights replace the candle to make them glow brighter.

Nowadays, creating simple paper lanterns is also a fun and engaging activity for children that only requires a few materials, such as colored paper, scissors, glue or tape, and bamboo sticks or wire.

Families with kids can enjoy making simple paper lanterns

Moon Worship Ceremonies

In some parts of Vietnam, there are formal moon worship ceremonies and rituals performed during the Mid Autumn Festival. These may involve offerings to the moon goddess, traditional dances and music, and chanting or prayers.

Whether you participate in the traditions, sample the delicious mooncakes, or simply soak in the festive atmosphere, celebrating the Mid-Autumn Festival is a wonderful way to experience Vietnamese culture and community. This joyous holiday is a true highlight for many visitors to the country.

5 Cities Where Mid Autumn Festival in Vietnam Is Celebrated Most Merrily

Hanoi

As the capital city, Hanoi is renowned for its spectacular Mid Autumn Festival celebrations. The historic Old Quarter comes alive with colorful lantern processions, while Hoan Kiem Lake serves as the picturesque centerpiece for moon-gazing and family gatherings. Hang Ma Street and Hanoi Old Quarter will come alive with traditional activities during the Mid-Autumn Festival, including an opening ceremony, singing, dancing, outdoor sports, and more.

Visitors can explore lively night markets selling an array of traditional mooncakes and other festive treats.

Hanoi Street during Mid Autumn Festival

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Tuyen Quang

Nestled in the northern highlands, Tuyen Quang is a lesser-known but culturally vibrant city that celebrates the Mid-Autumn Festival with great enthusiasm.

The city’s rich ethnic diversity is reflected in its unique lantern designs and cultural performances, often featuring traditional music and dance from the local Tay, Dao, and Hmong communities. In this city, you may see thousands of people of all ages and genders parading down the street, carrying huge lanterns of various shapes and colors. 

Visitors can immerse themselves in the authentic, community-driven celebrations throughout the city’s historic center.

Hoi An

The charming ancient town of Hoi An comes alive during the Mid-Autumn Festival. One of the main highlights of the celebration is a stunning lantern procession through the old town.

As night falls, colorful paper lanterns of various shapes and sizes, from traditional circular lanterns to intricate animal-shaped ones, illuminate the streets. Locals and visitors gather to watch the lantern parade wind its way through the narrow alleyways and over the iconic Japanese Covered Bridge, creating a magical and serene atmosphere.

You can also take a stroll through the UNESCO-listed historic town to admire the intricate paper lanterns that brighten the narrow streets and historic architecture. Additionally, local artisans showcase their lantern-making skills, and cultural performances add to the festive atmosphere. To fully experience the beauty of the Hoi An Lantern Festival, consider taking a Sampan ride along the Hoai River.

Hoi An at night with bright lanterns

Hue

Hue, the former imperial capital of Vietnam, is an ideal destination to experience the cultural richness of the Mid-Autumn Festival. As the seat of the Nguyen dynasty, Hue has a deep-rooted tradition of elaborate festival celebrations, and the Mid-Autumn Festival is no exception.

In addition to the lanterns and parade, Hue offers numerous other festivities and activities during the Mid-Autumn Festival. Visitors can enjoy mooncake tastings, traditional games, and cultural workshops where they can learn to make their own lanterns or try their hand at calligraphy.

The imperial city’s majestic architecture provides the perfect backdrop for the Mid-Autumn celebrations. Landmarks like the Citadel, the Perfume River, and the iconic Thien Mu Pagoda take on an even more enchanting atmosphere when illuminated by the glow of countless lanterns.

Ho Chi Minh City

The streets of Ho Chi Minh City come alive during the Mid-Autumn Festival with colorful lantern displays, lively music, and festive processions. Major thoroughfares like Nguyen Hue Street and Bui Vien Walking Street are transformed into bustling hubs of activity, with vendors selling traditional mooncakes, street food, and handcrafted lanterns.

Expect to see boisterous lion dances, thunderous firecrackers, and bustling mooncake markets. Families gather in parks and public spaces to enjoy traditional games and moon-gazing.

The unique star-shaped lantern

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Let’s Craft Unforgettable Festive Experiences In Vietnam

The Mid Autumn Festival in Vietnam is a vibrant, joyful celebration that showcases the rich cultural traditions of this country. Whether you join in the parades, savor the mooncakes, or simply soak up the lively atmosphere, it’s a wonderful time to experience Vietnamese community and hospitality.