Children enjoy making traditional toys, tò he (colourful figurines made from glutinous rice dough), during Mid-Autumn Festival. Photo courtesy of the Vietnam Exhibition Centre for Culture and Art

Thang Long Imperial Citadel

One of the more familiar addresses for children to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival is Thang Long Imperial Citadel, where the Colourful Full Moon programme will be organised on September 26-27.

According to the organisers, the programme aims to offer children interesting activities to enjoy a meaningful and memorable Mid-Autumn Festival, but also appeal to adults with memories of their childhoods.

Colourful Full Moon includes a variety of activities such as watching and helping artisans to make traditional lanterns and toys like star lanterns, paper masks or tò he (colourful figurines made from glutinous rice dough); watching dragon dances and making moon cakes.

Renowned historian Le Van Lan will deliver a talk about the Mid-Autumn Festival during the Le Trinh dynasty (1558-1786) viewed from a cultural and historical perspective. According to him, the traditional games of the Mid-Autumn Festival in the present day have included many improvements, combining both traditional and modern elements to create new vitality.

Additionally, children and tourists can also release flower-shaped lanterns onto the river within the archaeological site on 18 Hoang Dieu Street.

Another new feature of this year’s festival at Thang Long Imperial Citadel will be a virtual celebration that can viewed at trungbayonline.hoangthanhthanglong.vn.

Pedestrian streets

Mid-Autumn Festival in the Old Quarter 2020 will take place on the capital city's popular walking streets from September 17 to October 1.

The programme is being organised by Dong Xuan Joint Stock Company in coordination with the UNESCO Centre for the Reservation and Development of Culture of Vietnam. It aims to honour the tangible and intangible cultural values ​​of Hanoi as well as introduce and promote the cultural features of the children's festival celebrations in Hanoi’s Old Quarter.

Besides cultural activities, folk games and traditional crafts, the highlight of the event will be an art performance on Saturday night, September 26 with the participation of 50 children.

Vietnam Exhibition Centre for Culture and Art

A lantern parade with the participation of nearly 400 children from across Hanoi will be held within the Mid-Autumn Festival at the Vietnam Exhibition Centre for Culture and Art located at 2 Hoa Lu Street from September 28 to October 1.

Children will be entertained with various activities like lion dancing, calligraphy, making traditional Dong Ho paintings and many exciting traditional games like tug-of-war or rồng rắn lên mây (snake and dragon flies through the clouds) with prizes on offer for the winners.

Vietnam Museum of Ethnology

An address that has truly offered an authentic atmosphere for the traditional Mid-Autumn Festival in Hanoi over the years, the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology will organise Trung thu 2020: Người giữ lửa Trung Thu (Mid-Autumn Festival 2020: the Keepers of the Mid-Autumn Festival) on September 26-27.

“With the theme ‘Tradition Keepers’, the programme aims to honour artisans who are passionate about their traditional professions and introduce young talents who have winged their creativity with traditional and recycled materials,” said An Thu Tra, deputy head of the Media Department at the museum.

To enhance interactions among visitors, adults will be encouraged to help the children with the activities to tighten the relationships among family members.

In addition, this year's lion dance will be the most spectacular ever. Visitors will be introduced to the meaning of the lion's image on the full moon, along with performing lion dances, beating drums and playing the cymbals themselves during the parade.

Other indispensable activities during the festival include making 'Full Moon' cakes and traditional toys with senior artisans, and taking part in traditional games that will help educate the younger generations about their national culture.

Mid-Autumn Festival, also known as the children's festival in Vietnam, takes place on the 15th day of the 8th month on lunar calendar, which is also the brightest and full moon day of the year. This year the festival falls on October 1.

During the festival, the weather is usually cool, crops are waiting to be harvested and people gather to pay tribute to the deities, sing and play.

It has been considered the second most important festival of the year after the Lunar New Year since the Ly dynasty (1009–1225). VNS

Traditional Mid-Autumn Festival celebration held at Thang Long Imperial Citadel

The Thang Long Imperial Citadel in Hanoi is hosting a range of activities to celebrate the traditional Mid-Autumn Festival.

Hang Ma Street gears up for start of Mid-Autumn festival

With nearly one month to go shops located on Hang Ma Street in Hanoi have been making preparations for the upcoming Mid-Autumn festival by displaying a range of colourful ornaments, allowing visitors to soak up the festive atmosphere.