The Mid-Autumn Festival 2025 falls on Monday, October 6 on the Gregorian calendar.

Below are suggestions for places to explore during this festive occasion in Hanoi.

Hang Ma Street

Nearly a month before the Mid-Autumn Festival, Hang Ma Street in Hanoi is already dazzling with decorations, attracting visitors who come to take photos and shop.

As the festival draws near, the crowds grow denser, especially on weekend evenings.

The most popular attraction is house number 78 Hang Ma, where giant decorations like crescent moons, white rabbits, and carp models are displayed.

Here, visitors can freely choose from a wide range of traditional and modern masks, colorful lanterns in various shapes, with prices ranging from $1 to $6.

Thang Long Imperial Citadel Heritage Site

To preserve and promote the intangible cultural values associated with the Mid-Autumn Festival, from October 1, the Thang Long - Hanoi Heritage Conservation Center is organizing the program “Enjoy Mid-Autumn Festival 2025” at the Thang Long Imperial Citadel.

Visitors can explore two impressive exhibition spaces titled “traditional Mid-Autumn Festival” and “Royal Mid-Autumn Festival of the Ly Dynasty.”

The traditional space features toy stalls such as lion drums, frog drums, boi drums, lion heads, papier-mâché masks, tin toys (tin ships, drumming rabbits, butterfly pushers, whistles), paper scholars, moon watchers, rotating lanterns, Buddhist monk lanterns, star lanterns, and animal-shaped paper toys.

Meanwhile, the “Royal Mid-Autumn Festival of the Ly Dynasty” presents historical documents and reconstructed illustrations of celebrations from over 1,000 years ago.

The exhibit is highlighted by reenacted scenes of boat races and water puppet shows once performed by soldiers and civilians.

Visitors can enjoy lion dance performances from 10:00-11:00 a.m. or 3:30-4:30 p.m. on October 4 and 5.

Also during these two days, hands-on workshops such as making lanterns (spinning tops, butterfly lanterns, star lanterns, rabbit lanterns), painting papier-mâché masks, and crafting paper kites will be available from 8:30-11:30 a.m. and 2:30-5:30 p.m.

Hanoi Old Quarter

The 2025 traditional Mid-Autumn Festival in Hanoi’s Old Quarter will include a series of cultural events at heritage sites.

On the evening of October 3, a lantern parade titled “Full Moon Festival Night” will take place around the Old Quarter and Hoan Kiem Lake, reviving the essence of traditional celebrations in the cultural heart of the capital.

After the parade, visitors can explore the Phung Hung mural street, vibrant with lanterns and festive activities for children under the theme “Fairy Moon Season.”

The event features folk games and educational activities inspired by STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math), offering creative play experiences for children.

In addition to the three main destinations above, visitors can also enjoy the festive atmosphere at Hanoi’s shopping centers.

Linh Trang