Vietnam Mid-Autumn Festival: Lanterns, Mooncakes & Lion Dances!

The Mid-Autumn Festival, or Tet Trung Thu, is really one of Vietnam's most favorite and vibrant festivals. It falls on October 6, 2025, coinciding with the full moon of the 8th lunar month. The event has been referred to as the "Children's Festival" because it's really one of the happiest periods, full of traditions, family reunions, and enjoyable communal activities.

You will find the updated information about the festival's history, activities one can engage in, and some tips for travelers who want to experience it fully during your Vietnam trip in 2025. 
By the way if you want a more of a thrilling experience on your trip then there is also the Halloween festival in Vietnam you can celebrate :)

Note: Check our tour guide if you are looking for Tet Festival of Vietnam for year 2026? 

Origins and Cultural Significance

Its roots trace thousands of years back, considering agricultural traditions and the cult of the moon. At first, it was associated with the harvest festive mood and was the period of recreation for farmers together with their families. With time, the sense of Tết Trung Thu shifted to the children and overtones of family, gratitude, and hopes regarding prosperities.

So, in Vietnam, they added this cool folklore to the festival. There's a character named Cuội, who supposedly lives on the moon with his banyan tree. During the festival, children hear his story, adding even more magic to an already magical night.

Fun Things to Do

The Mid-Autumn Festival in Vietnam bursts with activities, which keep locals and tourists alike having the blast of their life. It's really popular among foreign tourists coming to Vietnam around the end of the year.
The following are the highlights:

Lantern Parades

Children dress up and carry many star-shaped lanterns in various colors for guidance and hope. Lanterns of every color make towns and cities, particularly Hang Ma Street of Hanoi, enchanting; hence, light up the nights with light parades, bringing together communities in a unified admiration.

Lion and Dragon Dances

The lion dances happen both in big cities and small towns; they are a major part of the festive occasion. The lively performances with banging drums and clashing cymbals will supposedly shoo away negative energy and bring prosperity. Travelers can usually jump into fun, checking out dancing groups that emulate how lions move with perfect precision.

Mooncake

Mooncakes are a must try treat in Vietnam, either baked or sticky. The traditional fillings include lotus seed paste, mung bean, and salted egg yolk. Then there are the more modern ones with matcha, chocolate, and even lava custard flavors. Sharing mooncakes means unity and harmony for the families.

Ancestor Worship

The banquet is an offering to their ancestors with foods like fruits, mooncakes, and flowers. The perfume of incense on the altars allows silent moments during the revelry.

Retro Games and Folk Songs

You know, fun games like tug-of-war and hopscotch, plus folk singing competitions, really drive the vibe home. This brings people together and gives the visitors a cool way to dive into the local traditions.

Local Dialects

The Mid-Autumn Festival is celebrated differently across Vietnam (also in China), showcasing the country’s cultural diversity:

• Urban Festivals: Urban festivals will comprise city festivals, such as Hanoi, Hoi An, and Ho Chi Minh City, organizing big festivals with hip parades, market fairs, and professional performances.

• Rural Traditions: At times, events bring people together in places like Ha Giang for tea parties where they make lanterns and homemade mooncakes together. Each has its pulse, therefore giving the traveler some great experiences, be it the pulsating life of city festivals or the charm of festivals celebrated in small towns.

Tips for Travellers

Cool Spots to Check Out:

• Hoi An: It's famous for its streets lit up with lanterns, and the town really looks magical during the festival.

• Hanoi: Hang Ma Street is famous for its traditional toys, lanterns, and decorative items.

• Ho Chi Minh City: Events are organized in parks or public areas, accompanied by mass cultural activities.

Participate in Local Traditions: Anything from lantern-making workshops to mooncake tastings, given by a variety of local bakeries.

Plan Your Visit Early: Popular tourist destinations can become crowded during the festival, so book accommodations in advance. In case you happen to be invited to any gathering, then attend it with fruits or mooncakes as a thank you gesture.

Why travel to Vietnam during the Mid-Autumn Festival?

Tet Trung Thu gives a cool peek at what it means to be Vietnamese. A mix of the fun of big public parties with the warmth of family vibes-this is just the scene. It is a sight to cherish with magical glows lighting up the streets with lanterns and the smell of freshly baked mooncakes filling the air. Whatever your travel style-family vacation, romantic getaway, or solo travel-Vietnam is the place to be this Mid-Autumn Festival, full of tradition, flavor, and festivity. Check out how cool Tết Trung Thu was celebrated in Vietnam this year.

It is now time to plan for your trip in October 2025 and join this awesome festival of light, family, and culture!