Event celebrates Mid-Autumn Festival

The event, to be held for the first time, aims to combine the festivities of the past and present, old and new, traditional and modern.

It is organised by the Quan An Ngon Restaurant chain, with support from the Hanoi People’s Committee, Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism and Van Mieu Management Board.

The celebration is expected to include nearly 500 artists, including folk artisans, cultural and historical researchers, fashion designers and many others.

Pham Thi Bich Hanh, owner and general director of the Quan An Ngon Resturant chain, said children will have the chance to discover a giant dragon egg, appearing for the first time in Hanoi. 

“Artisans from across the nation will join in cutting and trimming fruit, and designing the mid-Autumn tray of the past and present, making traditional moon cakes, and showing off their skills to visitors, particularly children,” she said.

Hanoian Hoang Thu Hang, said “both adults and children are very excited for the event because the festival will let children have a chance to enjoy traditional games and food while adults remember to Mid-Autumns of the past.”

Hang’s son, Anh Thai, 12, said his younger sister and friends will attend the festival and play traditional games such as o ăn quan (mandarin square capturing), ban bi (marbles), rong ran len may (dragon dance) and nhay day (rope skipping).

“But most are excited to join in with activities like helping artisans to make lanterns, marks and toy figurines,” said Thai.

The festival not only brings joy to children but also offers families the opportunity to gather at the Temple of Literature and exchange views and remember the old Mid-Autumn festivals. Talks and documents by historical researcher Duong Trung Quoc, Dr Nguyen Nha and cultural and traditional folk researcher Trinh Bach will entertain and educate visitors, said Hanh.

“We aim to restore and preserve our traditional activities to welcome the mid-Autumn festival, it’s like a really big Tet for children,” Bach said.

In addition, visitors will have the opportunity to enjoy a play titled Dong song anh sang (The River of Light) by leading artists and watch an Ao Dai fashion show by renowned designers Anh Thu, Ha Linh Thu and Duc Hung.

An official from the Hanoi Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, said the huge event not only captures the characteristics of Hanoi but also popularises folk culture and preservation of national spirit.

The three-day event is expected to welcome thousands of local and foreign visitors.