The Mid-Autumn Festival, or Tet Trung Thu, is a celebration held annually from the 14th to the 16th of August on the lunar calendar in Vietnam. This festival is known by various names, including Moon-Gazing Festival, Children’s Festival, Reunion Festival, and Lantern Festival, each reflecting the activities, nature, and participants involved. Let’s explore the origins of these names and the significance of this beloved holiday.
1 What is the Mid-Autumn Festival?
The Mid-Autumn Festival, also known as Moon Festival, falls on the day when the moon is at its brightest and roundest, usually the 15th day of the eighth month in the lunar calendar. Traditionally, this festival commemorates the glorious victory of the uprising against the Yuan dynasty in Chinese history.
Additionally, during this time, farmers have completed their harvest and begin to celebrate with festivals, the most notable being the Moon Festival. Families gather together to enjoy mooncakes and cups of tea, symbolizing unity and reunion, which is the essence of the Mid-Autumn Festival.
Mid-Autumn Festival symbolizes family reunion and harmony
2 Alternative Names for the Mid-Autumn Festival
While most people refer to it as the Mid-Autumn Festival, this celebration goes by several other names, such as Moon-Gazing Festival, Reunion Festival, and Children’s Festival.
Reunion Festival
Reunion Festival is a name commonly used alongside Mid-Autumn Festival. This name reflects the essence of the holiday, as family members return to their parents’ and grandparents’ homes to enjoy peaceful moments together during the festival. They indulge in delicious feasts, including traditional mooncakes, and revel in the joy of children playing with colorful lanterns.
Reunion Festival brings families together
There’s nothing more precious than spending time with family, watching children play with lanterns and reliving cherished childhood memories. Thus, the name Reunion Festival captures the heartwarming essence of this holiday.
Children’s Festival
Similar to International Children’s Day on June 1st, the Mid-Autumn Festival is a time for children to embrace fun and meaningful activities. Nowadays, this festival is primarily celebrated by children, as adults are often occupied with their livelihoods.
Mid-Autumn Festival is a celebration embraced by children
During this festival, children across the country participate in song and dance performances, traditional games, and even witness lion and dragon dances in public spaces. They also get to choose from a variety of lanterns, from traditional to modern designs, and join the crowds to admire the beautiful flower lanterns. Hence, the Mid-Autumn Festival is also known as the Children’s Festival.
Moon-Gazing Festival
“Moon-Gazing Festival” is a name less commonly used in big cities, as it refers to the activity of moon-viewing in rural areas, where the moon can be seen from anywhere. According to folk customs, during the Mid-Autumn Festival, people prepare elaborate fruit trays decorated with creative shapes, such as a fluffy dog made from pomelo, and, of course, the indispensable mooncakes.
Families gather to admire the moon, share stories, and enjoy festive treats
As the moon is at its brightest and roundest during this time, families often gather to gaze at the moon, share stories, and indulge in festive treats. Thus, the name Moon-Gazing Festival captures this enchanting aspect of the celebration.
Lantern Festival
In China, releasing flower lanterns is an annual activity during the Mid-Autumn Festival. People not only hang lanterns in front of their homes but also release flower-shaped lanterns with wishes written on them, lit by a candle, and set adrift on water or released into the sky.
In Vietnam, the name Lantern Festival is not as prevalent. However, some localities organize flower lantern releasing events on lakes or rivers, attracting the interest of many people.
Mid-Autumn Festival is a traditional holiday rich in cultural significance
In summary, the Mid-Autumn Festival is a traditional holiday steeped in cultural significance for the Vietnamese community. While the celebration has become simpler over time, the joy and meaning of the festival remain intact, contributing greatly to Vietnam’s cultural heritage.
During the Mid-Autumn Festival, apart from carrying lanterns, setting up fruit trays, and enjoying mooncakes and baked cakes, families can also create their own unique traditions, such as fun quizzes, to foster a warm and cheerful atmosphere during this special holiday.
If you’re looking for meaningful greetings to send to your loved ones during the Mid-Autumn Festival, check out the collection of 100+ greetings and 50+ greetings!
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