Log in
Travel

Lantern – the soul of Mid-Autumn festival in Vietnam

Lanterns are indispensable for the festival thanks to its colorful and diversified shapes, and its role of sparking the night of the full-moon occasion.

Among things featured in the Mid-Autumn festival in Vietnam, lanterns are indispensable thanks to its colorful appearance, diversified shapes, and its role of sparking the night of the full-moon occasion. 

For that reason, every part of Vietnam has lighted up lanterns on that day with shapes and animals described in the long-lasting tradition. 

The Mid-Autumn festival or "Tết Trung Thu" in Vietnamese is also known as Children's Festival because of the event's emphasis on children. 


The celebration also came to symbolize a reverence for fertility, with prayers given for bountiful harvests, increase in livestock, and human babies. 

In Vietnam, the celebrations are usually held one or two weeks before the due date in big cities with several cultural and traditional activities inclduing watch lion and Lykon dance, join in lantern parading, enjoying mooncake and tea with family members among others. 

Massive lanterns with various shapes, sizes, and colors modeled after historical figures, animals, and fables, among others, have become a “specialty” of the northern province of Tuyen Quang during the mid-Autumn Festival for decades. 
 
Giant lantern brights up the streets in Tuyen Quang city. Photo: Tuoitrenews.
Giant lantern brights up the streets in Tuyen Quang city. Photo: Tuoitrenews.
These days as the mid-Autumn festival is drawing nearer, Tuyen Quang city is busy and bustling with several giant lanterns across the streets. The Thanh Tuyen (Tuyen Quang citadel) Festival, which is held on the occasion of the mid-Autumn Festival, will see the attendance of over 70 giant lanterns in a parade. Meanwhile,  giant lanterns on Tuyen Quang streets have already numbered in hundreds.

In the old times, this festival in Tuyen Quang used to be simple and thrifty which was held separately in neighborhoods for children. Today, it has grown into a unique feature of Tuyen Quang on every mid-Autumn festival which is held with much fanfare with large turnout of locals and visitors. 

 The giant lanterns are made up of every day materials including bamboo sticks, sponges and paper, among others. Every one could become a lantern creators adding the colors and lights to make their lanterns the real artworks. 

Some lanterns, when rotating make a succession of pictures painted in its sides and creating animations of the dragon spitting out the gems or of fish swimming, among others. 


Some photos of Tuyen Quang streets lighted up with super big lanterns: 
 
Lanterns are made sophisticatedly. Photo: Zingnews.
Lanterns are made sophisticatedly. Photo: Zingnews.
The lantern creates animation of dragon. Photo: Tuoitrenews.
The lantern creates animation of dragon. Photo: Tuoitrenews.
Children are excited when seeing the giant lanterns parading on the streets. Photo: Tuoitrenews.
Children are excited when seeing the giant lanterns parading on the streets. Photo: Tuoitrenews.
Tuyen Quang streets gathers lots of people as mid-Autumn festival is coming nearer. Photo: Tuoitrenews.
Tuyen Quang streets gathers lots of people as mid-Autumn festival is coming nearer. Photo: Tuoitrenews.
Some people take photos with the giant lanterns. Photo: Tuoitrenews.
Some people take photos with the giant lanterns. Photo: Tuoitrenews.
Reactions:
Share:
Trending
Most Viewed
Five-star hotels in Hanoi offer discounts for big holiday this month

Five-star hotels in Hanoi offer discounts for big holiday this month

Locals and visitors to Hanoi can enjoy a luxurious holiday in the heart of the city at affordable prices by taking advantage of exclusive offers at highly-rated lodgings.

Vietnam tourism video series launched on 2025 P4G Summit

Vietnam tourism video series launched on 2025 P4G Summit

Vivid clips themed Vietnam tourism aim to highlight the country’s image as a safe, friendly, and attractive tourism destination.

Hanoi amongst popular travel destinations for Reunification Holiday

Hanoi amongst popular travel destinations for Reunification Holiday

Coastal resorts and culturally rich cities are Vietnamese tourists' leading the search trends for the holiday that will take place at the end of April.

Hanoi Tourism Gift Festival 2025 celebrates culture and creativity

Hanoi Tourism Gift Festival 2025 celebrates culture and creativity

The Hanoi Tourism Gift Festival 2025 invites locals and tourists alike to immerse themselves in a vibrant showcase of culture, cuisine, and craftsmanship.

Hue to host Vietnam’s National Tourism Year 2025

Hue to host Vietnam’s National Tourism Year 2025

The iconic tourist destination in Vietnam has been chosen host the National Tourism Year 2025, with the spectacular Hue Festival 2025 as its main highlight. 

Vietnam’s tourist attraction among best places for apricot blossom

Vietnam’s tourist attraction among best places for apricot blossom

The beauty of Prunus cerasoides flowers, also known as Himalayan cherry blossoms, adorns the majestic landscape of the mountainous area in the northern part of Vietnam.

Exciting tourism offers for Hung Kings Commemoration Day

Exciting tourism offers for Hung Kings Commemoration Day

Visitors will have the chance to experience the sacred ancestral land of Phu Tho during the Hung Kings’ Commemoration Day, which will take place on the 10th day of the third lunar month, or April 7, 2025.

Hot mineral spring holidays recommended amid humid weather

Hot mineral spring holidays recommended amid humid weather

With the sweltering heat driving people to seek relief, hot spring resorts have gained popularity, offering the perfect escape for those looking to unwind and rejuvenate.