A myriad of activities are taking place in Hanoi on the occasion of the traditional Mid-Autumn Festival.

Children came in crowds to watch lion dancing and enjoy folk singing. Not only kids but adults also joined in making carton masks and various folk games like tug of war and sack racing.

Meanwhile, the traditional old quarter mid-autumn festival has started at the main gate of Dong Xuan market and the walking street area of Hang Dao to Hang Giay streets.

The festival is being organised by Hoan Kiem district People's Committee.

Events are also happening in surrounding areas like the pedestrian zone in the Old Quarter, Hoan Kiem Lake pedestrian streets, the fresco art space of Phung Hung Street, Kim Ngan Communal House, the old quarter information and cultural exchange centre and the House of Legacy at 87 Ma May Street.

Traditional mid-autumn activities including lion dancing with competitors from 18 different wards, a night banquet, lantern parade, folk games and children's martial arts competition will take place.

At the opening event, folk artisans will instruct visitors on how to make traditional folk toys such as paper lanterns, paper kites and ships. A puppet performance and the traditional mid-autumn organisation of a Hanoian family were also introduced.

“The organising board hopes to maintain traditional values, encourage people to protect their cultural legacy and honour the artisans," said deputy chairman of Hoan Kiem District People's Committee Dinh Hong Phong.

The festival lasts until September 13, or the full-moon day of the eighth month of the lunar calendar.

HCM City holds various activities for children on Mid-Autumn festival

Ho Chi Minh City has launched various activities to ensure children, especially disadvantaged children, can enjoy a warm and fun Mid-Autumn Festival.

On September 8, the municipal Department of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs and the city Youth Culture House organized a Mid-Autumn Festival programme for orphans and handicapped children in social welfare centres.

During the programme, the children had a chance to participate in folk games and entertainment activities. The organizing board also presented scholarships and gifts to them.

From September 8-13, the city has implemented another programme targeting 3,200 children in special circumstances or facing risks of falling into such circumstances.

Tran Ngoc Son, Vice Director of the municipal Department of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs said that efforts in caring for disadvantaged children aim to not only bring joy to the children but also raise public awareness of their responsibility in protecting, caring and educating children.

On the occasion, the municipal Youth Union also held a programme for more than 6,700 children living in welfare facilities in the city outskirt.

The city’s Centre for Support of Young Worker will present more than 2,000 gifts to local children. Mid-Autumn festivals will be held for children of workers in local industrial parks and export processing zones, as well as those receiving treatment in the Children Hospitals 1 and 2.

Along with caring for children in the city, local departments, organizations and companies have also held activities to bring a happy festival for children in nearby localities such as Binh Duong, Lam Dong, Dong Thap and Ben Tre.

The Mid-Autumn Festival, which falls on September 13 this year, is considered an exclusive occasion for children.

Mid-Autumn Festival signals party time for kids

More than 300 disadvantaged children in Ho Chi Minh City will receive moon cakes, lanterns and other gifts at the Suoi Tien Theme Park as part of Mid-Autumn Festival celebrations around the country.

The children, many living in shelters, will also take part in traditional games and music at a party called Le Hoi Trung Thu Yeu Thuong (Beloved Mid-Autumn Festival).

They will also participate in a lion dance and lantern parade, and receive notebooks, pens, clothes and toys from the organisers.
Suoi Tien will offer free tickets to more than 5,000 poor children.

As in previous years, cultural houses for children in the rural districts of Nha Be, Binh Chanh, Hoc Mon, Cu Chi and Can Gio will host programmes featuring lantern and fruit-tray design competitions, music and dance performances, and water-puppet shows.

At night, young performers will stage circus and magic shows. Several thousands of poor children will be invited.

The festival will fall on September 13 this year when the moon becomes largest and brightest in a year, and is taken as an exclusive occasion for children. VNA/VNS/VNN