Thousands of festivalgoers packed the new waking plaza surrounding Hoan Kiem Lake in the centre of Hanoi on the evenings of September 10-11 in celebration of the Mid-Autumn Festival.


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Group of young people lead a parade on the evening of September 10 on the new walking plaza around Hoan Kiem Lake as others spontaneously join in on the fun and excitement.




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Kids ride on parents’ shoulders, many hands free, so they can see and enjoy the celebration.





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Child plays with yellow and pink animal shaped balloon beneath the biggest star at the procession, some 2 metres in diameter.





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Followed by another child with a much smaller star, who appears to really enjoy shaking it and watch the light shimmer off the silver dangling tinsels, creating a whole rainbow of colour.





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This young tot (3 years old) and older brother join in the procession around Hoan Kiem Lake as lion dancers while their father beats the drum.




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The procession rapidly grows to number in the thousands as festivalgoers of all ages liven up the new walking plaza surrounding Hoan Kiem Lake to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival.





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The new waling plaza is truly a blessing for events like these, bringing out more tourists and residents, especially the children, to celebrate now that the streets are safe from all the rude and dangerous drivers.





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Pictured is the crowd packed Moon Market in the Hanoi Old Quarter.




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By evenings end on September 11, fatigue starts to appear on many faces of both parents and children, with many tired and exhausted tots wanting to get some sleep. 




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Although technically banned, many parents still buy devil masks for their kids. 





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Weary face of boy on mother’s shoulder on the evening of September 11 as they walk near the Moon Market, signalling it is time to head for home and call it an evening.


Zing/VOV