Vietnam Mid-Autumn Festival: Tradition, Mooncakes, and More

Tips for Traveling to Vietnam

The Vietnam Mid-Autumn Festival is one of the grandest celebrations of the year. The sight of the full moon illuminating the sky, the delightful aroma of mooncakes, and the enchanting array of colorful lanterns, diverse in shapes and sizes, combined with lively lion dance performances, all contribute to the traditional beauty of Vietnamese culture. It would be truly fascinating to partake in the Mid-Autumn Festival aboard a luxurious cruise, experiencing the breathtaking "landscape transformation" and gazing at the full moon amidst Halong Bay.

The Beginnings of Vietnam's Mid-Autumn Festival

The Vietnam Mid-Autumn Festival has its origins dating back to ancient times, possibly as early as the Ly Dynasty. The Mid-Autumn Festival was officially celebrated in the imperial capital of Thang Long during the Ly Dynasty, featuring boat races, water puppetry, and lantern processions.

Regardless of its origins, the Mid-Autumn Festival remains an important traditional celebration for the Vietnamese people. On this joyous occasion, following Vietnamese tradition, all family members eagerly come together to prepare offerings for the ancestral altar. As night falls and the ground is bathed in the soft glow of the full moon, communities gather in neighborhoods to enjoy green tea, cakes, admire the moon, arrange fruits and sweets for children to play, parade lanterns, perform lion dances, gaze at the moon, and enjoy traditional customs.

The Beginnings of Vietnam's Mid-Autumn Festival

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What are the traditional dishes consumed by Vietnamese during the Mid-Autumn Festival?

One of the traditional dishes that Vietnamese people enjoy during the Mid-Autumn Festival is mooncakes. Mooncakes are a distinctive type of pastry with roots in Chinese culture, and they have been integrated into Vietnamese traditions for a long time. Mooncakes symbolize completeness and abundance.

In addition to mooncakes, other traditional dishes eaten during the Vietnam Mid-Autumn Festival include:

• Green rice (Cốm): Green rice is a food made from young green rice grains, with a mild, sweet flavor. It is often enjoyed with lotus seed sweet soup, green bean sweet soup, or rice pyramid dumplings.
• Pomelo Salad (Gỏi bưởi): Pomelo salad is a refreshing dish made from pomelo fruit, pork belly, young shrimp, and a variety of herbs like cilantro and mint.
• Seafood Dishes: Various seafood dishes are prepared, such as steamed snails, stir-fried snails, or boiled snails, depending on personal preferences.
• Floating Rice Cakes (Chè trôi nước): Floating rice cakes are a sweet dessert made from glutinous rice balls, mung bean fillings, and sweet syrup.
• These traditional dishes reflect the cultural significance and the joyous atmosphere of the Mid-Autumn Festival in Vietnam.

Exploring the Vietnam Mid-Autumn Festival

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Highlighted Traditions of Vietnam's Mid-Autumn Festival

Mid-Autumn Festival is a time for families to gather and reunite. At the same time, there are also many prominent activities during this occasion that you should participate in to experience the unique features of the Vietnam Mid-Autumn Festival.

Crafting captivating lanterns

One of the traditional beauties of the Vietnam Mid-Autumn Festival is the crafting of lanterns. Lanterns come in various shapes and colors, made from materials like paper, fabric, and bamboo. These glittering and radiant lanterns have become symbolic of the Mid-Autumn Festival.

Mid-Autumn lanterns are widely sold in markets and stores. However, many people still prefer to make their own lanterns to showcase their creativity and craftsmanship.

Crafting captivating lanterns

Honoring the Earth Deity and paying tribute to our forefathers

During the Mid-Autumn Festival, many Vietnamese families prepare altars to pay respect to the Earth Deity and ancestors. These altars typically include offerings of cakes, fruits, incense, and flowers. The altar is placed on an ancestral shrine, reflecting the deep reverence of descendants towards the spirits and ancestors.

Furthermore, during the Vietnam Mid-Autumn Festival, many people visit temples and pagodas to pray for their family's well-being, happiness, and good luck.

Honoring the Earth Deity and paying tribute to our forefathers

Parade with lanterns, stroll beneath the moonlight, and sing Mid-Autumn Festival melodies

On the evening of the 15th day of the 8th lunar month, many places in Vietnam organize lantern parades. These colorful lanterns are paraded through the streets, creating a vibrant and lively atmosphere.

Children particularly enjoy strolling under the moonlight and singing Mid-Autumn melodies. Familiar songs like  “Ông Đèn Lồng”, “Trăng Rằm”, “Tết Trung Thu”,... and others echo throughout, adding to the festive and joyous atmosphere.

Parade with lanterns, stroll beneath the moonlight, and sing Mid-Autumn Festival melodies

Delight in lion dances during Vietnam's Mid-Autumn Festival

Lion dances are an integral part of the Vietnam Mid-Autumn Festival. These decorated lion dance troupes perform energetically in the streets, bringing joy and laughter to everyone. Lion dancing symbolizes the wish for luck, peace, and happiness for all.

Delight in lion dances during Vietnam's Mid-Autumn Festival

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Where to partake in the Mid-Autumn Festival festivities in Vietnam?

The Vietnam Mid-Autumn Festival is one of the largest traditional festivals of the year. There are many locations where the Mid-Autumn Festival is celebrated, each with its unique highlights. Here are some suggestions for you:

Ho Chi Minh City

Ho Chi Minh City is one of the largest Mid-Autumn Festival celebration venues in Vietnam. Here, there are numerous entertaining activities for people of all ages, such as participating in lantern parades on the streets or joining special events like lantern floating on the Saigon River and lantern parades along Nguyen Hue Walking Street.

The Mid-Autumn Festival in Ho Chi Minh City

Hoi An Ancient Town

Hoi An Ancient Town is a fantastic place to experience the Mid-Autumn Festival. Here, you'll immerse yourself in a traditional Vietnamese Mid-Autumn atmosphere, rich in cultural heritage.

The lantern parade is the main activity of the Mid-Autumn Festival in Hoi An. Each year, the festival introduces a new and unique lantern parade theme. You can also enjoy traditional music performances such as Ca Tru and Bai Choi and participate in releasing beautiful lanterns onto the river.

The Mid-Autumn Festival in Hoi An Town

Hanoi Old Quarter

Hanoi's Old Quarter is a must-visit during the Vietnam Mid-Autumn Festival. Here, you can soak up the festive and lively atmosphere of the celebration.

• Join lantern parades on the streets or participate in special lantern events such as lantern floating on Hoan Kiem Lake and lantern parades along Ta Hien Walking Street.
• You can watch lion and dragon dance performances in public areas or take part in impressive lion and dragon dance shows.
• Participate in traditional folk games like “Danh Du, Keo Co, O An Quan,...”

The Mid-Autumn Festival in Hanoi Old Quarter

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Halong Bay 

Every year, during the Vietnam Mid-Autumn Festival, Halong Bay comes alive with vibrant colors and festivities like never before. This is the perfect opportunity for travelers to engage in unique festival activities and admire the beauty of the bay under the full moon.

With the convenience of modern transportation, you can combine a visit to Hanoi and Halong Bay to experience the full magic of the Mid-Autumn Festival. You'll have the chance to embark on a luxurious cruise, witnessing the breathtaking beauty of Halong Bay from a higher vantage point. Upon arriving in Halong, travelers can participate in various Mid-Autumn Festival activities on the bay, such as:

• Lantern Parade: This traditional event takes place on the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival. Travelers can join a lantern procession on the cruise ships, marveling at the enchanting, surreal scenery of Halong Bay under the moonlight.
• Lion Dance Festival: Lion dance is a distinctive cultural activity in Vietnam. During the Mid-Autumn Festival in Halong Bay, visitors can witness captivating and lively lion dance performances.
• Feast Celebration: After participating in the festival activities, travelers can savor traditional Mid-Autumn delicacies such as mooncakes, floating rice cakes (chè trôi tàu), and more.

During the Vietnam Mid-Autumn Festival, Halong Bay adorns itself with a new, mesmerizing appearance under the full moon. This is the ideal time for travelers to engage in festival activities, savor local cuisine, and admire the stunning natural landscape.

The Mid-Autumn Festival in Halong Bay

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Experience a "change of scenery" on a cruise 

In recent years, Mid-Autumn cruises have become one of the preferred choices for many people. On a Paradise Vietnam Cruise during Mid-Autumn, passengers can savor and witness the changes in the Mid-Autumn night. 

The Mid-Autumn Festival aboard a Paradise Vietnam cruise is an enchanting experience brimming with vibrant festivities and lasting memories. Passengers have the chance to immerse themselves in a traditional, colorful ambiance, accompanied by delectable cuisine and captivating artistic performances.

While Paradise Vietnam's 5-star cruises consistently provide luxurious accommodations and unique entertainment, during certain periods like the festival, our cruises often host enthralling cultural performances. These occasions normally allow guests to savor traditional mooncakes and partake in communal dining, all within the joyous atmosphere of the Mid-Autumn celebration.

In addition, passengers may experience various exciting activities, such as:

• Enjoying a Mid-Autumn buffet featuring traditional dishes like mooncakes, sweet soups, and fried spring rolls.
• Watching outstanding artistic performances
• Admiring the cityscape from the sundeck.
• Indulging in an outdoor BBQ party with delicious seafood.
• Tasting fine wines and premium beverages.
• Participating in entertaining activities and games on the cruises.

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Experiencing the Mid-Autumn Festival aboard Paradise Vietnam's cruises in Halong Bay is a luxurious adventure not to be missed. Amidst the captivating setting of Halong Bay under the full moon, guests are treated to a sumptuous and unforgettable holiday.

The festival presents a wonderful opportunity to delve into Vietnamese culture and traditions, from the glowing lanterns and captivating lion dances to the delightful mooncakes, showcasing the most unique elements of the celebration.

With its blend of tradition, modernity, exquisite cuisine, and lively activities, the Vietnam Mid-Autumn Festival is a vibrant and colorful celebration. Embarking on a cruise through Halong Bay with Paradise Vietnam promises an extraordinary experience during this joyous occasion, creating cherished memories to inspire and pave the way for exciting journeys ahead.