Celebrating Tet Trung Thu – Origin, Meaning and Customs

Celebrating Tet Trung Thu  in Vietnam is an important and colorful traditional festival. Taking place on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month every year, Vietnamese people organize many interesting activities, passed down through many generations. Let’s learn about this holiday with Vietnam Motorbike Tours Club through the article below!

What is Celebrating Tet Trung Thu ?

Celebrating Tet Trung Thu , also known as the Moon Festival, takes place annually on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month. This is a traditional festival of the Vietnamese people, passed down through many generations. The Celebrating Tet Trung Thu  is also the most eagerly awaited celebration for children. On this day, adults prepare sweets, lanterns, and traditional spinning lanterns to give to the children. Additionally, the Celebrating Tet Trung Thu  is an occasion for families to gather and reunite after a year of hard work, enjoying tea and moon gazing together. Many activities take place during the Celebrating Tet Trung Thu , such as lantern processions and cultural performances. Visitors to Vietnam during this time will be amazed by the beautifully decorated streets, especially in the old quarters of Hanoi and Hoi An.

Origin and meaning of Celebrating Tet Trung Thu  in Vietnam 

According to research, the Mid-Autumn Festival (Tết Trung Thu) in Vietnam dates back to ancient times, with many historical records confirming this. The Vietnam festival is closely linked to the legends of Hằng Nga and the story of Chú Cuội. These legends are deeply rooted in Vietnamese culture and have been passed down through generations, becoming valuable lessons reflecting Vietnamese views on life.

The term “Tết Trung Thu” was originally borrowed from Chinese and has continued to be used in Nôm script and the modern Vietnamese alphabet (chữ Quốc Ngữ). Although other Asian countries like China, South Korea, and Japan also celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival similarly to Vietnam, the celebration in Vietnam has distinct features that form its own cultural identity.

The Mid-Autumn Festival is not only a time for children to enjoy themselves but is also an important day with deep significance for the Vietnamese people. It is an occasion for family reunions and creating lasting memories. On this day, both children and adults gather together, enjoying tea, eating mooncakes, and admiring the moon. Through this festival, people reflect on the past, embrace the future, and cherish the present.

Celebrating Tet Trung Thu  is associated with 8 interesting activities 

Celebrating Tet Trung Thu in Vietnam has many interesting activities such as lion dance, fireworks, lantern procession, and folk games. This is an occasion for family reunion and gathering together. 

Lantern procession 

One of the most exciting activities during the Celebrating Tet Trung Thu  is the lantern procession. This is an essential part of the memories of Vietnamese people. Visiting Vietnam during this time, international tourists can easily see children dressed in their best clothes, holding colorful lanterns, and parading through the alleys. It’s a great opportunity for you to learn more about traditional festivals in Vietnam. 

Displaying the Mid-Autumn Festival tray 

The Mid-Autumn Festival tray is an essential part of the offerings for Vietnamese people. This tray is usually made up of fruits and mooncakes. The fruits are beautifully arranged and shaped to be as visually appealing as possible. Depending on the region, the tray may vary, but it typically includes fruits like pomelo, bananas, persimmons, custard apples, and “na dai” (a type of custard apple). When the moon rises, everyone gathers to enjoy the flavors of the mooncakes, sip tea, and admire the moon. Travelers visiting Vietnam during the Mid-Autumn Festival will have the chance to savor Vietnamese cuisine. 

Make children’s toys 

Mid-Autumn Festival toys are an essential part of the celebration, much loved by children. Items like masks, star-shaped lanterns, lion heads, and rabbit lanterns are all handmade with intricate designs, carrying deep cultural and historical significance. Hội An and the Old Quarter of Hanoi are famous for their lantern-making villages. You’ll easily spot these sparkling toys as you stroll around Hàng Mã Street in Hanoi. Be sure to buy a star lantern and immerse yourself in the festive atmosphere in Vietnam. 

Making moon cakes 

The mooncake is an essential treat during the Mid-Autumn Festival and has become a symbol of this holiday. Mooncakes are typically round and come in two types: baked mooncakes and soft glutinous ones. They are made from glutinous rice flour, mung beans, lotus seeds, coconut, salted egg yolks, and candied fruits. The cakes are beautifully decorated with intricate molds featuring various patterns. Mooncakes are not just a food item but also carry the deep flavors of family love. In Hanoi, during August and September, it’s easy to spot mooncake stalls on the streets. Visitors can stop by and try one or two. The price is quite reasonable, around $3-4 per cake. 

Singing the Drum 

Hát Trống Quân is a unique cultural tradition of the Vietnamese people, especially during the Mid-Autumn Festival. The sound of leather drums combined with the rhythmic beats of “thình, thùng, thình” has become a familiar melody, evoking memories of warm full-moon nights. Young men and women engage in playful, witty singing exchanges, creating a lively atmosphere. Hát Trống Quân is not only a folk game but also a valuable cultural heritage, enriching the spiritual life of the Vietnamese people. 

Lion Dance 

The Lion Dance is also an indispensable tradition for Vietnamese people. Around 2 to 7 performers dressed in yellow and red costumes control a large lion figure, showcasing graceful and eye-catching movements. The Lion Dance typically takes place in front of houses, in schoolyards, village communal houses, and neighborhood alleys, attracting attention and bringing joy to everyone. Besides the Mid-Autumn Festival, the Lion Dance is also commonly performed during holidays, Tet (Lunar New Year), and important festivals, with the hope of bringing luck and prosperity. 

Give gifts to each other 

The Celebrating Tet Trung Thu  is a time for people to gather and reunite with family and friends. In the warm atmosphere of the full moon night, gift-giving has become an essential cultural tradition. Every gift, whether big or small, carries sincere feelings, contributing to a truly meaningful Mid-Autumn Festival. Receiving a gift fills everyone’s heart with warmth and happiness. This is why the tradition of gift-giving during the Mid-Autumn Festival has been passed down from generation to generation.

Visitors to Vietnam during this festival will have the chance to receive meaningful gifts from the Vietnamese people. These gifts could be lanterns, masks, mooncakes, and more. Though they may be small in value, they carry great significance, reflecting the hospitality of the Vietnamese people.

Moon watching 

The Celebrating Tet Trung Thu  takes place annually on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month. This is when the moon is at its fullest and brightest during the year. In this cozy atmosphere, families gather to enjoy tea, eat mooncakes, chat, and admire the bright moon. The moon appears rounder and more beautiful when viewed in rural or mountainous areas compared to the city, where it may be obscured by tall buildings and clouds. 

These are the insights shared by Vietnam Motorcycle Tours about the origins and significance of the Celebrating Tet Trung Thu  in Vietnam. We hope this article provides you with useful information about this traditional holiday in Vietnam.