Mid-Autumn Festival originates from Chinese culture
The origin of the Mid-Autumn Festival in Vietnam is said to originate from Chinese culture with 3 legends: Hang Nga and Hau Nghe, Duong Kinh Minh Hoang ascending to the moon, and the Legend of Uncle Cuoi. These Mid-Autumn Festival legends have been closely associated with Vietnamese culture and have become stories passed down from generation to generation, creating the uniqueness and meaning of the Mid-Autumn Festival in concept and tradition. Vietnamese folk tradition.
Mid-Autumn Festival is a reunion festival
The meaning of Mid-Autumn Festival is not simply a day for children to have fun, but also an important and deeply meaningful day in the hearts of every Vietnamese person. This is an opportunity to rekindle family affection and create memorable memories. On this day, not only children but the whole family gather together, creating a warm and loving space. This is a time for family members to meet, share joys and thoughts, create memorable moments and become more connected to each other. Through the Mid-Autumn Festival, everyone looks back on the past, welcomes the future and cherishes the values of family, love and solidarity.
Mid-Autumn Festival in Vietnam is associated with 8 interesting activities
Mid-Autumn Festival customs in Vietnam include activities such as lion dances, fireworks, lantern processions, folk games and enjoying traditional dishes such as moon cakes, tea, wine and fruits. Families gather together, gather together to present and break the feast.
3.1. Torchlight
"Mid-Autumn Festival carries lanterns to go out...", the lyrics echo from every Vietnamese person's childhood and become an indispensable part of memory. In childhood, who was not excited to hold colorful star lanterns, roam around the alleys and sing Mid-Autumn Festival songs? The Mid-Autumn Festival lantern procession is a familiar image of the Mid-Autumn Festival and a custom still preserved to the present.
3.2. Presenting the Mid-Autumn Festival tray
Mid-Autumn feasts often focus on dogs made from grapefruit cloves and black bean eyes. Surrounded by fruit and baked cakes, mixed cakes or vegetarian cakes shaped like a mother pig and her piglets. Grapefruit seeds are skewered onto steel wire, dried and burned on Mid-Autumn night. Typical fruits such as bananas, green rice, fruit, red persimmons and custard apples are indispensable. When the moon rises, everyone comes together to feast and enjoy the flavors of the Mid-Autumn Festival. The custom of watching the moon is related to the legend of Uncle Cuoi on the moon, where children believe that the image of Uncle Cuoi sitting under a banyan tree can be seen on the Moon.
3.3. Make toys for children to play Mid-Autumn Festival
Masks, monk lamps, star lamps and lion heads are popular Mid-Autumn Festival toys that are enjoyed by children. Hoi An and Saigon are famous for the craft of making lanterns and paper lamps for this occasion. During the old Mid-Autumn Festival, people often made their own wooden drums, monk lanterns, star lanterns, masks, toi he, pinwheels... for children. Nowadays, toys often come from China and are often made of thin plastic.
ge3.4. Make moon cakes
It seems that the flavors of the Mid-Autumn Festival are encapsulated in moon cakes. The way to make moon cakes is quite simple, so people often make their own moon cakes at home, using traditional ingredients such as sticky rice, green beans, coconut, lotus seeds, sesame, fruit jam... The cake is decorated with Special molds to create beautiful shapes such as round or square with two types: soft cakes and pies. Mooncakes are not only delicious food but also convey the meaning of togetherness, solidarity and family love during the Mid-Autumn Festival.
3.5. Watch the full moon in August at its roundest and brightest
On Mid-Autumn Festival night, people often go out to set up feasts and decorate colorful lanterns, then watch the moon together. The Full Moon in August is said to be the roundest and brightest of the year, symbolizing completeness and family love. In a quiet and serene space, the whole family celebrates the Mid-Autumn Festival together and shares stories and joys of the full moon season.
3.6. Sing military drums
Singing military drums is a traditional custom during the Mid-Autumn Festival in Vietnam. With rhythmic rhythms and the sound of drums, people sing in the rhythm of "thump, bang, thung". Singing military drums is often performed by couples, creating a joyful and bustling atmosphere during the holiday.
3.7. Lion dance
The Mid-Autumn Festival lion dance is a special traditional custom during the Mid-Autumn Festival in Vietnam. About 2-7 people wearing unicorn costumes control a large unicorn, performing graceful and colorful movements. The Mid-Autumn Festival lion dance often takes place in front of houses or on school grounds or village communal houses, attracting everyone's attention and joy. The beauty and coordination of the lion team brings hope for luck and prosperity in the new year.
3.8. Give each other gifts on Mid-Autumn Festival
During the Mid-Autumn Festival, Vietnamese people often give gifts and best Mid-Autumn Festival wishes to each other. People often prepare gifts such as moon cakes, candy, lanterns, and fruits to give to family, friends, relatives, and close people to express gratitude, love, and sharing. Share this special day. Receiving Mid-Autumn Festival gifts brings joy and happiness to everyone, creating an atmosphere of unity and warmth in the family and community.
