Urban youth celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival in various ways

The Mid-Autumn Festival has long gone beyond being just a Children’s Festival to become one of the most vibrant community celebrations in Vietnam. In today’s modern society, where technology and global culture exert a strong influence, young people continue to embrace the festival as a time to reconnect, a celebration blending traditional spirit with contemporary flair.

Young people make traditional lanterns at Mid-Autumn Festival check-in points. Photo: Le Duy

Mid-Autumn celebration trends among young people

At a mooncake-making workshop in Tam Hiep Ward, the lively atmosphere began in the early days of the eighth lunar month. More than 20 young participants eagerly kneaded dough, shaped fillings, and shared their baking experiences.

Nguyen Thanh Thao, a student at Dong Nai University, said: "I want to make my own mooncakes to enjoy their flavour truly. This not only brings joy but also helps me better understand the cultural meaning behind the cakes."

Beyond personal enjoyment, such workshops often include charitable activities. On September 28, 179 Baker’s Mart in Tam Hiep Ward, together with its customers, organised a programme to make and donate mooncakes to 150 children, elderly people living alone, and people with disabilities in the community. This is not only an activity to share and spread the spirit of “one cake – one joy”, but also contributes to making the Mid-Autumn Festival more meaningful and full of humanity.

The cultural value of the Mid-Autumn Festival is not lost; it is being revived in new ways that suit modern lifestyles. It preserves its traditional essence while offering young people a space for creativity and expression of their love for culture.

In addition to the workshops for handmade lanterns, such as those held in Ho Chi Minh City, many young people in Dong Nai visit shops selling traditional glass-paper lanterns shaped like carp, stars, or rabbits. They buy them to decorate their homes or use them at small gatherings with friends.

Trinh Hoang Nam, 20, a citizen of Trang Dai Ward, shared: “Holding a glass-paper carp lantern reminds me of my childhood. Nowadays, people not only use them for parades but also hang them in rooms or use them as props for photos. It’s really fun.”

Beyond engaging in handicraft activities, many young people take to the streets to enjoy the atmosphere of the Mid-Autumn Festival. On Nguyen Ai Quoc Street in Dong Nai Province, the days leading up to the full moon have become a favourite photography spot for groups of friends. Stalls display both modern and traditional lanterns, while cafes decorate their spaces with colourful Mid-Autumn themes, from cartoon characters to musical light-up lanterns.

Some young people who come to lantern accessory stores at Bien Hoa market said: “My friends and I often go to the streets or traditional market decorated for the Mid-Autumn Festival to take pictures. It’s both for fun and for keeping a commemorative photo album every Mid-Autumn Festival season. Although we know that traditional lanterns are beautiful and meaningful, modern models also bring a fresh, exciting feeling.”

The Mid-Autumn Festival today is also an opportunity for young people to create and keep up with trends freely. Instead of sticking solely to traditional activities, many young people celebrate online. TikTok clips featuring carp lanterns, "check-in with the full moon" challenges, and outfits inspired by festival colours have become widely shared trends.

Traditional culture remains strong

Vo Nu Hanh Trang, PhD, Head of the Office of Scientific Research, Postgraduate and International Relations at Dong Nai University, observed that the diversity in how young people celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival reflects inevitable social change. However, the positive aspect is that they remain connected to core cultural values. Our surveys indicate that young people are not abandoning tradition; they are simply finding new ways to make it relevant to modern life. Activities like baking, making lanterns, or performing folk arts performances are proof that traditional culture has always been and still is attractive if presented in the right way.

She added, “It is the creative activities of young people that provide an opportunity to bring folk culture closer to the community. It’s essential to encourage models that blend tradition with modernity and to support artisans and craft workshops in creating learning spaces for young people. If done well, the Mid-Autumn Festival will not only remain a festive occasion but also serve as a cultural bridge across generations.” From a social perspective, the festival nurtures a sense of community spirit. Whether through traditional or modern ways of celebration, the common point remains togetherness: families gathering around a festive feast, friends parading with lanterns, or communities joining in festivals. These enduring values transcend trends, making the Mid-Autumn Festival a timeless celebration.

It is clear that the ways young people celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival today reflect the richness of their choices and affirm cultural identity. Amid the digital age, where electronic lanterns and modern games dominate, many still cherish handmade mooncakes, paper lanterns, and traditional arts.

By Le Duy - Translated by Quynh Nhu, Thu Ha