Vietnam Mid-Autumn festival 2024 | All about Tet Trung Thu

Tết Trung Thu or Mid-autumn Festival, is also known in Vietnam as the “Children’s Festival”, takes place every year on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month. This year, the Mid-autumn Festival will be held on September 17, 2024 (Gregorian calendar), however preparations begin far in advance. Here’s how to make the most of this amazing holiday.

1, Origins of Tết Trung Thu

The exact origins of the Mid-Autumn Festival remain a mystery. Both cultures have their own stories about how this festival began. Many people believe that it originated from China and is celebrated in many Asian countries, however the Vietnamese version has its own traditions and legends. Traditionally, it was a time to celebrate the harvest. Today, it's mostly seen as a holiday for children

2, Vietnam's version story about Tet Trung Thu 

Once upon a time, there was a farmer named Cuoi who lived a simple life with his family. He cherished an ancient banyan tree in his garden. The banyan tree not only provided shade but also had magical leaves that could cure all diseases.
One day, Cuoi's wife urinated on the roots of the banyan tree. Immediately, the tree shook violently and suddenly uprooted itself, flying straight up into the sky, carrying Cuoi, who was clinging to its branch, to the moon.
Since then, Cuoi has lived alone on the moon, always longing for his homeland and family. On every full moon night, when people look up at the moon, they can see the shadow of a man sitting under a tree.

3, Mid-Autumn Festival activities 

The Mid-Autumn Festival, a beloved holiday in Vietnam, is filled with vibrant traditions and activities. Here are some of the most popular ones:

Lantern Parade: As Mid-Autumn Festival approaches, the excitement of children wanting to go on a lantern parade is clearly visible on their faces. They will receive beautiful, colorful lanterns from their grandparents and parents to dance, sing. Adults also feel happy because they can enjoy a family reunion dinner, join the lantern parade, and create a warm atmosphere.This is a highlight of the festival, symbolizing bringing light into the darkness.

Mooncake Feast: Families gather together to enjoy mooncakes, a sweet pastry filled with various fillings. Sharing mooncakes signifies unity and harmony.The two most common types are bánh dẻo (soft, sticky cakes with a mochi-texture) and bánh nướng (baked cakes with a thick wheat crust). Mooncakes in Vietnam come in a seemingly infinite variety of flavours, both sweet and savoury.

Lion Dance: Lion dances are performed to bring good luck and ward off evil spirits. The energetic and colorful performances are a crowd-pleaser.
Outdoor Games: Children play traditional games like tug-of-war, hopscotch, and hide-and-seek. These games foster a sense of community and fun.
Fruit and Food Offerings: Families offer fruit and other food to their ancestors as a sign of gratitude.
Decorations: Homes and streets are adorned with lanterns, flowers, and other festive decorations, creating a joyful atmosphere.