Tiếng ViệtMỤC LỤC NỘI DUNG
Vietnam’s Mid-Autumn Festival: A Celebration of Family, Harvest, and Tradition
Once a year, on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month, the Mid-Autumn Festival—also known as the Moon Festival—is celebrated throughout Vietnam. It’s one of the most exciting times to experience the country’s rich traditions and customs. During this festival, families offer sacrifices to the God of Earth, expressing gratitude and hope for a good harvest. As the season is typically busy with harvesting, parents often have little time for their children. That’s why the festival is also a special opportunity for parents to pause, celebrate, and spend quality time with their kids.
A star-shaped lantern, brightly colored and beloved by Vietnamese children during the Mid-Autumn Festival.
Worshiping the God of Earth
On the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival, families prepare an offering platform in their courtyard to honor the God of Earth. The table is beautifully arranged with mooncakes, fruits, and a variety of snacks, symbolizing gratitude and blessings for a bountiful harvest. The offering remains in place until midnight, after which the food is enjoyed by all. In many households, a separate table is also prepared just for children — allowing them to freely enjoy the treats throughout the evening as they celebrate under the full moon.
Carrying Carp-Shaped Lanterns
Lanterns are important customs of the Mid-Autumn Festival in Vietnam. It is also a tradition for the Vietnamese to light lanterns during the night of the festival. A legend states that a carp spirit once killed many people during the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival, so that no household dared to go outside during that night.
Nowadays, children hold various kinds of paper lanterns and play in the moonlight, while eating moon cakes during the evening of the festival.
Lion Dance Delight: A Must-See Mid-Autumn Tradition in Vietnam
Lion dancing or “múa lân” is an essential element of the Mid-Autumn festivities. At night, groups of children parade through the streets, going door to door to ask for permission to perform the lion dance. If agreed, they will put on a show, which is believed to bring luck and fortune. Afterwards, the house owners give the children ‘lucky’ money in appreciation.
These lion dances are fascinating, with huge numbers of children, from little kids to teenagers, taking part. As a result, the streets echo with the sound of drums, and dozens of lions roam during the celebration.
Where to Experience the Mid-Autumn Festival in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City
If you’re in Hanoi before the Mid-Autumn Festival, don’t miss a visit to Hàng Mã and Lương Văn Can streets. These colorful alleys come alive with traditional toys, paper lanterns, masks, and decorations. Another cultural gem is 87 Mã Mây, a preserved heritage house where local artisans demonstrate how Mid-Autumn crafts are made.
On the night of the festival, head to the Youth Theatre (Ngô Thì Nhậm Street) or the Children’s Palace (Lý Thái Tổ Street) to enjoy lively musical shows and performances designed especially for children.
In Ho Chi Minh City, the heart of Mid-Autumn celebrations is in Chợ Lớn (District 5), the city’s historic Chinatown. Lương Như Hộc Street is famous for its vibrant lantern displays, traditional masks, and lion heads spilling out onto the sidewalks. Be sure to stop by 109 Triệu Quang Phục Street, a beloved shop that has been making lion heads for Saigon’s best lion dancers for over 50 years.
A Festival of Culture and Family
Today, Tết Trung Thu is more than just a children’s festival — it’s a celebration of family, education, arts, and Vietnamese cultural identity. Many overseas Vietnamese families try to return home during the festival to give their children a taste of this rich tradition. Others organize celebrations abroad, passing down stories, songs, and values that connect younger generations to their roots.
