Mid-Autumn Festival in Vietnam
Vietnam’s Mid-Autumn Festival: A Celebration of Childhood and Culture
What reminds you of your childhood the most: a Halloween adventure, a Thanksgiving day, or a Christmas evening? In 2025, Vietnam is entering its most vibrant annual festival season, a time when children can revel in their favorite traditions, and adults often find themselves feeling young again.
Also known as the Full Moon Festival, the Mid-Autumn Festival occurs on the fifteenth day of the eighth lunar month. Every Vietnamese eagerly awaits the day when the moon shines the largest and brightest, evoking a sense of wonder and romance. In Hanoi, the celebration takes place on grassy patches under fragrant milk-flower trees—a scent so sweet it feels like walking through a fragrant breeze, creating an especially magical atmosphere.
Traditions, Performances, and Festive Spirit
If you’re not into singing, the dragon and lion dances are sure to capture your heart. In countryside villages, performers move from house to house, much like 'trick-or-treaters', entertaining families with acrobatic routines and collecting small offerings for luck.
Photo by laodong.vn
The main celebration is set for the 15th lunar day, but street decorations, performances, and stalls start appearing as early as two weeks in advance. In villages, cheerful rehearsals fill the nights—singing, dancing, lantern processions—building excitement for the full-moon evening.
Mooncakes, Lanterns, and Modern Highlights
The Mid-Autumn Festival also brings delightful seasonal treats: succulent pomelos and bánh dẻo (sticky rice cakes) are particularly popular during this festive season.
Join the Mid-Autumn Festival to experience an authentic, captivating slice of Vietnamese culture.
Updates:
- Mid-Autumn in 2025 falls on Monday, October 6; in 2026 on Friday, September 25; and in 2027 on Wednesday, September 15.
- Major city celebrations now typically last three nights, from the 14th to the 16th lunar night, featuring night markets, lantern parades, and diverse cultural shows.
- New mooncake trends in 2025 include salt-cracked crusts and vegan fillings, alongside classic lotus seed and mixed nut varieties.
- Lantern-making workshops, especially for star lanterns and carp-shaped designs, have become popular week-long events in Hanoi and Hội An.
- Environmental initiatives during 2025–2027 emphasize the use of reusable lanterns and efforts to reduce single-use plastics at celebrations.
