Have you noticed all of the mooncake stalls popping up over the city? And the vibrant lanterns and decorations coloring streets with red, orange and yellow? That’s because the Mid-Autumn Festival is coming up soon
What is the Mid-Autumn Festival?
Known as “Tết Trung Thu”. It is celebrated on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month so it usually falls in September. It is a time for family celebrations, particularly for children.
The Mid-Autumn Festival has deep roots in Vietnamese culture, influenced by both Chinese traditions and indigenous beliefs. It originally marked the end of the harvest season when farmers gave thanks to the moon, which was believed to bring good fortune and a bountiful harvest. Children are told the fairytale of ‘Moon Boy’ Chú Cuội, a man who, according to folklore, was carried to the moon while holding onto a magical banyan tree.
What can you do during Mid-Autumn Festival?
👉 Try a Mooncake: Mooncakes are an essential part of the Mid-Autumn Festival. These round pastries symbolise completeness and unity. They come in various flavours such as lotus seed paste, sweet bean paste, almond paste and more modern ones like chocolate and matcha. Exchanging mooncakes with friends and family is a key part of this festival.
👉 Experience the festivities: The Mid-Autumn Festival is one of our favourites because the cities become so lively and filled with cultural celebrations and events. These include art exhibitions, puppet shows, lion and dragon dances and lantern parades. We recommend taking a trip into Hanoi’s Old Quarter to experience the celebrations. The official government event program in Hanoi will take place from September 12th to 15th.
Did you know there are more to do in each city to fully live your Vietnam experience?
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