The Mid-Autumn Festival is a special occasion when the full moon rises high in the sky, illuminating the streets and marking the start of a celebration. It’s a time for us to wander through neighborhoods, admiring the moon and partaking in various traditions. So, let’s find out when Mid-Autumn Festival 2024 will take place and explore some of the hottest spots in Ho Chi Minh City to fully embrace this upcoming moonlit night!
1 What is the Mid-Autumn Festival?
What is the Mid-Autumn Festival?
The Mid-Autumn Festival, according to the lunar calendar, falls on the 15th day of the 8th month every year. It is also known as Children’s Festival, Moon-Gazing Festival, or Lantern Festival. On this day, people often set up offerings to enjoy while admiring the moon and carrying lanterns. Children are gifted beautiful star and carp lanterns by their elders, which they use to join the lantern procession with their friends.
In some places, the Mid-Autumn Festival includes lion dances, dragon dances, and other performances for children’s entertainment. In China and Chinese communities, fireworks are also set off during this festival.
The Mid-Autumn Festival is a popular celebration in East Asian and Southeast Asian countries, including Vietnam, Japan, and Taiwan.
2 When is Mid-Autumn Festival 2024?
When is Mid-Autumn Festival 2024?
The Mid-Autumn Festival in 2024 will take place on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month, which is September 17, 2024, in the solar calendar.
Initially, the Mid-Autumn Festival was a holiday for adults to appreciate the scenery, eat mooncakes, and sip tea while admiring the full moon in the middle of autumn. This time of the year offers a clear view of the sky, making it perfect for observing celestial phenomena and predicting the harvest and the nation’s fate. Over time, the festival evolved into a children’s holiday due to traditions like lantern processions and feastings that captivated the young ones.
Following Vietnamese customs, parents prepare a feast for their children to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival. They buy or make various candle-lit lanterns to hang in their homes and for their children to carry during the festival. This occasion is a chance for children to feel their parents’ love and care.
3 Top Spots for Mid-Autumn Festival Celebrations in Ho Chi Minh City
Luong Nhu Hoc Lantern Street
Luong Nhu Hoc Lantern Street
Address: Luong Nhu Hoc Street, Tran Hung Dao Street, District 5, Ho Chi Minh City.
This lantern street stretches over 300 meters and is dubbed the “lantern paradise”, featuring a diverse range of colorful lanterns such as paper lanterns, round lanterns, garlic-shaped lanterns, and umbrella-shaped lanterns.
As the Mid-Autumn Festival approaches, the street comes alive with vibrant and warm colors, attracting thousands of visitors who come to admire the displays, shop for lanterns, take memorable photos, and immerse themselves in the festive atmosphere.
In addition to traditional and modern lanterns, the street also features decorations typical of the Mid-Autumn Festival, such as lion heads, candle-lit lanterns, and moon-shaped lanterns, which are especially appealing to children.
Nguyen Hue Walking Street
Nguyen Hue Walking Street
Address: Nguyen Hue Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.
Located in the heart of Saigon, Nguyen Hue Walking Street is a popular gathering spot for locals and tourists alike, featuring various artistic and entertainment activities during holidays.
On the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival, the street is adorned with colorful lanterns, creating a magical atmosphere. It also hosts large-scale artistic performances such as lantern processions, lion dances, and unique cultural shows. You can stroll along the street, soak in the festive vibe, and enjoy conversations with friends.
AEON MALL Tan Phu and Binh Tan
AEON MALL Tan Phu and Binh Tan
Address: 17A Street, Binh Tri Dong B, Binh Tan and Aeon Celadon Tan Phu, 1, 30 Bo Bao Tan Thang, Tan Phu
Besides the famous lantern streets, visiting shopping malls during the Mid-Autumn Festival is also a great idea. Every year, AEON MALL Tan Phu and Binh Tan decorate their spaces with beautiful lanterns and organize a series of attractive events, such as the “Lung Linh Village” in 2015 and “Thung Lung Sao Bang” in 2016, attracting thousands of participants.
Additionally, activities such as lion dances, mask-making, and lantern-making workshops are held to ensure that children have a memorable and enjoyable Mid-Autumn Festival.
Le Thi Rieng Park
Le Thi Rieng Park
Address: 875 Cach Mang Thang 8, District 10, Ho Chi Minh City.
Le Thi Rieng Park attracts thousands of people who participate in the release of colorful flower lanterns on the water. Conveniently located in the city center, the park is easily accessible and offers a spacious green area, making it a popular spot for families and young people to gather and enjoy leisure activities. If you’re looking to stroll, admire the city lights, and release flower lanterns, this is the place to be.
Ho Chi Minh City House of Children
Ho Chi Minh City House of Children
Address: 169 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia, Ward 7, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City
During the Mid-Autumn Festival, the House of Children organizes lively musical events to welcome the full moon. Children who visit can partake in free, fun, and educational feastings. They can also join exciting stage games and learn dances and songs to perform during the festival.
Additionally, the House of Children presents captivating circus, magic, and lion dance performances. It is an ideal place to relive childhood memories and celebrate the festival with friends and family.
With this information, you now know when the Mid-Autumn Festival will occur this year and have discovered some of the most popular spots to celebrate it in Ho Chi Minh City. We wish you a meaningful Mid-Autumn Festival!
