Thang Long Imperial Citadel: Dazzling Mid-Autumn Festival performances and rituals

The traditional mid-autumn festival called Happy Autumn Celebration runs until September 15 at the Thang Long Imperial Citadel (No. 19 Hoang Dieu Street, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi), organized by the Thang Long-Hanoi Heritage Conservation Center.

The traditional Mid-Autumn Festival at the Thang Long Imperial Citadel. Photo: Minh An/ The Hanoi Times

The exhibition is divided into two thematic areas: "Traditional Mid-Autumn Festival" and "Royal Mid-Autumn Festival".

The traditional display area features a variety of toys for sale, including animal-shaped masks, iron ships, rabbit-beating drums, stuffed swans, tin toys, lanterns, and others.

A highlight of the program is the display of restored ancient models of Mid-Autumn lanterns, once forgotten but now painstakingly revived by cultural researcher Trinh Bach and craftsman Nguyen Trong Binh.

The restored lanterns come in a variety of charming shapes, from animals such as crabs, fish, dragons, phoenixes, rabbits, and butterflies, to popular fruits such as starfruit, Buddha's hand, peaches, and grapefruits. These exquisite decorations, specially made for the Mid-Autumn Festival, are crafted from traditional materials such as do paper, crepe paper, cellophane, bamboo strips and rattan.

Lanterns for the Mid-Autumn Festival. Photo: Huy Pham/The Hanoi Times

The exhibition also presents documents and images that illuminate the Mid-Autumn Festival at the royal court of the Ly Dynasty (1009-1054), with a special focus on autumn water puppetry.

To add to the vibrant and festive atmosphere, a lion dance performance will be held on September 14 and 15. On the same days, visitors can also enjoy hands-on activities, including making Mid-Autumn toys such as lanterns, butterfly lanterns, star lanterns, rabbit lanterns, painting papier-mâché masks, building paper kites, and making moon cakes. There will also be toy-making workshops from 8:30 to 11:30 and from 14:00 to 17:00.

Visitors to Hanoi's iconic tourist attraction can now take photos illuminated by a variety of lanterns shaped like carp turning into dragons, as well as lanterns designed to look like carp, crabs, rabbits, butterflies, shrimp, and drums.

The area for photo opportunities at the Thang Long Imperial Citadel. Photo: An Ninh Thu Do

The Mid-Autumn Festival has been a national festival since the Ly Dynasty in the 10th century, observed both at the royal court and among the general populace. In addition to important royal rituals, the king provided a three-day celebration for the commoners. During this time, the Thang Long Imperial Citadel was adorned with magnificent flower lights and brocade decorations.

Throughout the following feudal dynasties, the festival continued to be an important event for both the monarchy and the nation. In addition to the traditional folk celebrations, families would prepare a grand feast during the day to honor their ancestors and a lavish dinner in the evening to pay tribute to the moon.

Held on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month, the Mid-Autumn Festival is one of the most prominent celebrations in the culture of the Vietnamese people. In Hanoi, the festival embodies a cherished tradition deeply rooted in the cultural heritage of the Vietnamese people.