Mid-Autumn Festival in Vietnam
Tet Trung Thu, as it is known in Vietnam, or the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival as we refer to it in America, is a wonderful, ancient festival that revolves around children.
The Festival dates back as far as 15-20,000 years 
ago in Southeast Asia, and is traditionally held on the 15th day of the 8th Lunar Month. This year, the date of the Festival is Octorber 5, the same day as the full moon. The Mid-Autumn Moon Festival is one of the two most popular festivals in Vietnam, and has been important to families in Vietnam for many years.
It is said that originally, the Festival came about as a way for parents to make up for lost time with their children after harvest season. The harvest was done by September, (August in the Lunar calendar) and the parents were anxious to spend time with their children and do something special with them, as well as celebrate the harvest, after spending much time working hard and away from the family. It was held under the full moon, which represents fullness and prosperity of life.
The festival is very much like a combination of Halloween and Thanksgiving. Children parade on the streets, while singing and carrying colorful lanterns of different sizes. Some of the popular shapes include fishes, stars, butterflies and a lantern that spins when a cand
le is inserted, representing the earth cir
cling the sun.
Dances are also traditional, and include the dragon dance and the flower dance.
It is customary to give Banh Trung Thu, boxes of moon cakes, which are traditionally very rich in taste. The cakes are filled with lotus seeds, ground beans and orange peels and have a bright yoke in the center to represent the moon.
Today, the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival, as well as encouraging affection for children, promotes education, poetry, dance and arts and crafts.
Many Vietnamese communities in the USA hold Mid-Autumn Moon Festivals, including Washington DC and San Jose. For families that don't live in an area with an organized Festival, have your own! It is a wonderful opportunity to share and learn about your child's culture, and a great opportunity for family fun too!
To help children get ready for the Festival, parents can help children make their lanterns and costumes for the lantern procession and discuss the history and culture of Vietnam.
Showing our love for our children and teaching of Vietnam's love for their children is a wonderful reason to celebrate
Vietnamese song that children like to sing in this holiday:
Tết Trung Thu rước đèn đi chơiEm rước đèn đi khắp phố phường
Lòng vui sướng với đèn trong tayEm múa ca trong ánh trăng rằm
Đèn ông sao với đèn cá chép Đèn thiên nga với đèn bướm bướm
Em rước đèn này đến cung trăng Đèn xanh lơ với đèn tím tím
Đèn xanh lam với đèn trắng trắngTrong ánh đèn rực rỡ muôn màu
Tít trên cao dáng tròn xinh xinhSoi xuống trần ánh sáng dịu dàng
Rằm tháng tám bóng Hằng trong sáng Em múa ca vui đón chi. Hằng
Tùng dinh dinh cắc tùng dính dínhTùng dinh dinh cắc tùng dinh dinh
Em rước đèn này đến cung trăngTùng dinh dinh cắc tùng dính dính
Tùng dinh dinh cắc tùng dinh dinh Em rước đèn mừng đón chi. Hằng
Tết Trung Thu bánh quà đầy mâm Em bé nhà ưa đứng quây quần
Đòi hạt sen bánh dẻo đầy nhân Em muốn ăn bốn, năm ba phần
Ngọt thơm như bánh dẻo bánh nướng Ngọt cay như mứt gừng mứt bí
Ăn mát lòng lại thấy vui thêm Hạt dưa nghe cắn nổ lốp đốp
Người vui hoan nói cười hấp tấpBao tấm lòng mừng đón trăng rằm.
# posted by Jimmy @ 10:05 AM
ago in Southeast Asia, and is traditionally held on the 15th day of the 8th Lunar Month. This year, the date of the Festival is Octorber 5, the same day as the full moon. The Mid-Autumn Moon Festival is one of the two most popular festivals in Vietnam, and has been important to families in Vietnam for many years.
le is inserted, representing the earth cir
cling the sun.
