Thứ Hai, 21 tháng 9, 2015

Mid-Autumn Festival ( Tết Trung thu) in Vietnam

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Mid-Autumn festival (Tết Trung Thu) is one of the remarkable festivals of Vietnam in a year. It is celebrated on the 15th day of August in lunar calendar when the moon is at its roundest and brightest. On this day, children burst into joy and the adults enjoy various entertaining activities as well. The most common activities are watching lion (or dragon) dance, eating Moon cakes (Bánh nướng, bánh dẻo) and join in lantern’s parades.

To Vietnamese in the old times, this celebration was to show gratitude to the moon and dragon bringing rain for the crop as well as to enjoy the successful harvest. People carried out the moon worship in a traditional ritual together with prayed for fertility and bountiful harvests. Over time, the prayers for children evolved into a celebration of children. Since the early twentieth century, the festival has been almost considered a children’s festival.
Lantern’s parade
Photo: www.news.zing.vn
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From the beginning of August in lunar calendar, the atmosphere is changed by scene of splendidly lighted shops along the streets selling lanterns, moon cakes, masks and other children’s toy. The street at night time becomes more crowded with people wandering around buying things or just enjoying the pleasure mood.

Moon cake
Photo: www.tinfood.vn

On the night of 15th, in some big cities for instance Hanoi, Hai Phong, Ho Chi Minh City, there are many lion dances in different places. People can stop by to watch the show and give some lucky money to the performers. The children wear mask and participate in parades with lanterns of various forms and colors. It is believed that lanterns were a vital part of Mid-Autumn festival since Ly dynasty. Nowadays the using of handcrafted lanterns has experienced a decline due to the introduction of plastic lanterns which gain more children’s interest. Although the festival is a day for children, it is also the occasion for outdoor reunions among friends and relatives.
Lion’s dance
Photo: www.vietanhmunchen.wordpress.com

The Mid-Autumn festival is also celebrated in South Korea, China and several nearby countries. Each country has its own customs, for example in South Korea, this celebration emphasizes the meaning of family gathering as well as the children’s gratitude towards their parents. It truly can be seen as an intangible cultural heritage.
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