A warm Mid-Autumn Festival

The Mid-Autumn Festival is not only a celebration for children but also an occasion for the whole society to join hands in bringing joy and "sharing" to children, especially those in difficult circumstances or living in remote, isolated, and border areas.

A week before the festival, the cheerful atmosphere of the Mid-Autumn celebration spread across localities throughout the province through a series of meaningful activities, bringing children a complete and love-filled festival season.

Vibrant full-moon festival nights

This year's Mid-Autumn Festival was more vibrant than in previous years for children in Thanh Son. About a week before the festival, Thanh Son Primary School held the program "Mid-Autumn for children – Lanterns light up dreams." Notably, despite the bad weather and continuous rain, the enthusiasm of the children and their parents remained undiminished.

Nguyen Tran Phuong Ha, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Youth Union and Chairwoman of the Provincial Team Council, presents scholarships to disadvantaged children at the Mid-Autumn for children – Lanterns light up dreams, held in Thanh Son commune. Photo: Nga Son

Phung Thi Mai (resident of hamlet 3, Thanh Son commune) shared: Since the teacher distributed the gift invitation slips, my children have been eagerly waiting for the day of the program. Seeing their excitement, I didn’t mind the rain and drove them dozens of kilometers to attend the Mid-Autumn Festival for children - Lanterns light up dreams. “As long as they’re happy and have more childhood memories, no matter how bad the weather gets, I’ll make sure they can join. It’s just a pity the rain was too heavy today, so I could only bring my two older children while the youngest had to stay home,” Mai confided.

Responding to the children’s anticipation, the organizers designed a joyful and meaningful event. The children not only received gifts and enjoyed musical performances by teams from the Dong Nai Children’s House but also interacted with Uncle Cuoi and Sister Hang Nga, watched magic shows, and joined folk games to exchange tickets for gifts.

Cao Thi My Chi, a fourth-grader from class 4A3, Cach Mang branch of Thanh Son Primary School (in hamlet 1, Thanh Son commune), said: “This is my first time celebrating such an early and grand Mid-Autumn Festival. I got to play many games, and my favorite was statue painting. Since it was my first time, I painted very carefully, hoping to make the best product to bring home as a keepsake. I hope I can experience more warm Mid-Autumn Festivals like this.”

Like My Chi, many children across the province, from urban centers to rural villages, and even in remote and border areas, enjoyed a warm Mid-Autumn Festival filled with love. Nguyen Tran Phuong Ha, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Youth Union and Chairwoman of the Provincial Team Council, shared: “This year, the Provincial Youth Union coordinated the organization of 'Full Moon Festival Nights' at more than 10 locations across the province, including Thanh Son, Tho Son, Loc Thanh, Song Ray, and Dong Nai Children's House. In addition to the province-level events, departments, sectors, and local authorities, from hamlets and neighborhoods to communes and wards, also held Mid-Autumn celebrations for children. Through these activities, all levels and sectors hope to bring children a warm and meaningful Mid-Autumn Festival.”

Preserving tradition, nurturing dreams

The Mid-Autumn Festival has long been a cherished cultural tradition in Vietnamese spiritual life, associated with the legends of Uncle Cuoi and Sister Hang Nga, as well as lantern processions, lion dances, and festive feasts. Amid the pace of modern life, while many new forms of entertainment have emerged, the traditional values of the Mid-Autumn Festival still need to be preserved and passed down.

Understanding this, the Youth Union of Xuan Lap ward organized the Lantern-making contest with the theme Lanterns light up dreams. Nguyen Dan Ha, Vice Chairwoman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of the ward and Secretary of the Xuan Lap Youth Union, said: “This is the first time the ward Youth Union has organized a lantern-making contest to mark the merger of communes and wards, and to spread the Mid-Autumn festive spirit among members and young people”.

The contest attracted 10 teams (each consisting of 10 Youth Union members) from the ward’s Youth Union branches. Each lantern had to be at least 1.5 meters tall, equipped with wheels, electric lights, and music, and made from traditional materials like bamboo, cellophane paper, and glue, as well as recycled items. Each team created lanterns in various shapes, including stars, animals, and maps of Vietnam. According to Dan Ha, these lanterns were used in the lantern parade during the Mid-Autumn program, helping children in the ward enjoy a joyful and meaningful festival.

This festive spirit extended beyond wards and communes to schools, where students participate in many engaging activities. In previous years, students at Chu Van An Secondary School (Cam My commune) participated in lantern-making, five-fruit tray decorating, and musical performances. This year, they took part in a Cake Festival.

Hoang Quoc Viet, teacher in charge of the Ho Chi Minh Young Pioneer Organization (Team Counselor) at Chu Van An Secondary School, shared: “The Mid-Autumn Festival is not only a time for children to have fun and receive gifts, but it also symbolizes reunion. Therefore, every year the school organizes activities that attract the participation of both students and parents. In this year’s Cake Festival, each class presented different kinds of cakes. After their presentations, students and parents enjoyed the celebration together, strengthening the bond among classmates and families.”

“We highly appreciate the Dong Nai Provincial Youth Union and the Provincial Team Council for organizing many Mid-Autumn activities for children, especially in remote areas. The gifts brought by the Youth Union, the Team Council, and other departments not only help care for children but also motivate them to strive in their studies and lives.”

Le Anh Quan, Deputy Chairman of the Central Team Council, Director of the Vietnam Center for Supporting and Development of Children

Moreover, the Mid-Autumn Festival is also a time to nurture the spirit of sharing. This year, students of Nguyen An Ninh Primary School (Tam Hiep ward) donated 25 million VND to students with disabilities at the Dong Nai Center for Support and Development of Inclusive Education. The funds came from the students’ “piggy banks,” which they had saved from their daily allowances. This activity not only provided material support but also taught the children about love and compassion, spreading the spirit of solidarity and mutual support throughout the community.

By Nga Son - Translated by Minh Hanh, Minho