The Mid Autumn Festival is like a pouch of cherished memories for every Vietnamese soul. Within it lingers the scent of ripe thi fruit, the pomelo petal puppy crafted with care, the echoing drumbeats at the alley’s end, and the gentle glow of star-shaped and paper lanterns lighting up the night.
Let MLifeOn take you on a journey to explore and uncover the meaning of the Mid Autumn lantern - the cultural heart of every reunion season in Vietnam.
The lantern of memories
Lanterns have a long history closely tied to light festivals across Southeast Asia and the larger Asian region. Some historical records suggest that the Mid Autumn lantern in Vietnam is connected with moon worship and harvest rituals during the Ly and Tran dynasties. Based on depictions on the Ngoc Lu bronze drum and the inscriptions at Doi Pagoda, many cultural researchers believe that lanterns first appeared in the Ly dynasty through ceremonial lantern processions in Thang Long Citadel. Over time, this tradition spread and became a distinctive part of festivals, symbolizing good fortune, abundance, and community connection.
Another explanation suggests that lanterns originated from the lighting needs of wealthy families, who used paper and fabric to protect candles or torches from the wind. Gradually, they became decorative items in the homes of noble families in the ancient capital.
However, in Vietnam, the Mid Autumn lantern gradually separated from religious and social rituals to become a familiar symbol deeply connected with the Mid Autumn Festival - a celebration for children and also known as the festival of reunion for families.
The memory of the lantern stays in the childhood of Vietnamese people through all the changes of the nation, from peaceful and plentiful days to the difficult years after the war when life was still full of hardship and shortage.
A bright five pointed star lantern, a rotating lantern filled with historical stories, a small tin can lantern covered in smoke, or a simple one made from a soap box,... all are beautiful and precious memories of childhood.
It is beautiful because it belongs to a festival for children, a symbol of innocent dreams and the warm love of family. Perhaps many of you reading this have once seen your grandfather, father, or brother split bamboo and glue paper by hand to make a Mid Autumn lantern for you.
The Mid Autumn Lantern - The Story of Bamboo, Paper, and Aspiration
The Mid Autumn lantern of Vietnam carries a unique charm unlike any other in the region. Its beauty does not come from elaborate details or luxurious designs, but from its simple and humble form that breathes the spirit of everyday life.
Each lantern is crafted from familiar and sustainable materials such as bamboo, rattan, and paper or cellophane, reflecting harmony with nature and the modest lifestyle of Vietnamese people.
The five pointed star lantern, glowing in five different colors, embodies the philosophy of the Five Elements (Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth) - representing balance and the natural flow of life in the universe, just as it mirrors the harmony within human life.
The revolving lantern is considered “a unique piece of traditional folk mechanics” with strong educational value. It is like a small handmade movie projector made of paper and bamboo, built on a simple yet ingenious mechanism. The candlelight inside the lantern creates warm air that rises and spins a thin bamboo shaft, which carries paper cutouts pasted around it.
The gentle and continuous movement of these figures creates a mesmerizing visual effect, capturing children’s attention as they follow the unfolding story. These stories often tell of heroic battles, ancient legends, moral lessons, and everyday life, reflecting the rhythms of traditional crafts and folk culture.
Besides the star and revolving lanterns, there are many others shaped like animals from familiar and beloved creatures such as pigs, chickens, and fish to sacred symbols like dragons. Each lantern carries within it the gentle love and heartfelt wishes not only of children but of every person during the full moon celebration.
The Mid Autumn Lantern - Following the Path of Craft Villages and Old Streets
Experiencing the Mid Autumn lantern is not only about looking at or buying a keepsake. It is a journey that follows the trail of light, taking you through traditional craft villages and unique lantern festivals from the North to the South of Vietnam.
MLifeOn invites you to discover these centers of light, where you can wander, admire, and feel the glow of Mid Autumn lanterns that reflect the soul and spirit of Vietnamese culture.
- Bao Dap Craft Village (Ninh Binh): Located in the northern region, Bao Dap Village once belonged to Nam Dinh Province and now is part of Ninh Binh. It has been famous for more than five centuries for its traditional craft of making star-shaped lanterns. The village is also the largest supplier of star lanterns for the northern provinces. Every Mid Autumn season, millions of star lanterns, revolving lanterns, and paper lanterns made here travel across the country, lighting up the festival nights.
- Phu Binh Craft Village (Ho Chi Minh City): Lovingly known as Phu Binh Lantern Hamlet, this is where traditional revolving lanterns and cellophane paper lanterns are crafted. Visiting Phu Binh, you can witness every step of the handmade process and feel the dedication that goes into creating a traditional Mid Autumn lantern.
- Hang Ma Street (Hanoi) and Luong Nhu Hoc Street (Ho Chi Minh City): are the two most dazzling lantern streets in Vietnam. With their variety of styles and vivid colors, these streets are not only bustling marketplaces during the Mid Autumn Festival but also beloved destinations for young people and travelers to visit and capture the festive glow.
Besides the craft villages and lantern streets, visitors coming to Vietnam, especially in the autumn season, will have the chance to admire glowing streets and vibrant Mid Autumn lantern festivals in places such as Hanoi, Da Nang, and Tuyen Quang.
Among them, the ancient town of Hoi An, often called the Light Capital of Vietnam, offers a stunning artistic scene with rows of lanterns illuminating the streets all year round. Here, you can also join lantern making workshops and create your own lantern as a special keepsake of your journey.
The Thanh Tuyen Festival in Tuyen Quang Province is known as the largest and most unique Mid Autumn lantern parade in Vietnam. During the festival, visitors can admire giant lantern models several meters high, shaped like animals or legendary figures marching through the streets. This festival has become a national cultural tourism event, offering visitors a one of a kind visual and cultural experience.
Conclusion
The Mid Autumn lantern stands as a vivid reminder that the essence of traditional culture never fades with time. Amid the glow of modern LED lights and impressive visual effects, the Vietnamese Mid Autumn lantern continues to be preserved in its purest form.
It is not just an object or a toy. It is a symbol of craftsmanship and perseverance, carrying within it historical value and the philosophy of living in harmony with nature. More than that, it is a museum of childhood memories for every Vietnamese soul.
Experience the Mid Autumn Festival in Vietnam, and you will truly feel the warmth and quiet beauty that shine from these simple yet radiant lanterns.
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CREDIT:
- Photography: Luan Nguyen, Kien Trang
- Content: Hà Linh
- Design: Trung Huynh
