Last week I watched as the country of Vietnam, celebrate the Mid Autumn or Moon Festival. Of course, it was on a much smaller scale due to COVID, but exciting none the less.  This was my 2nd year experiencing the festival, and I wanted to share my understanding of the festivities as I know it.   Please feel free to correct, share or add on any information on the festival that I have failed to mention.

The festival started in China, but Vietnam has added their twist of traditions, legends and folklore tales unique to their culture passed down through the generations.  It was created for children and an important time for the parents to make up for the endless hours dedicated to bringing in the harvest as well as the extended period spent grafting in the fields.  It was also a time to give thanks to the Earth God for a good crop as the full moon symbolises fullness and prosperity of life. They do this by placing the worshipping platform in the garden laid with fruits, snacks and mooncakes at 10 pm, friends and family gather together and enjoy the feast and giving thanks.

During the lead up to the festival, you can expect to encounter the  ‘Moon Cake’  which are eaten and gifted to friends and family during this time.  The cakes are traditionally filled with salted egg yolk and stuffed with bean or lotus seed paste and coved in a decorative dough. The moon cakes have evolved, and new exciting flavours are available in bakeries and shops to sample.  I must say I enjoy the eye-catching pop-up shops leading up to the festival.  They have a variety of beautiful designs, but most of all, the array of brightly coloured boxes in all different sizes available to purchase.    I saw the most exquisite moon cake lantern box on Facebook; if I could find one, I would have bought it as a memento.  It is unique and beautifully made; it even lights up!  Check out the link, isn’t the lantern stunning?

The festival is not only about moon cakes, but it’s actually about the children and giving thanks to the earth god for a good harvest.  As I walked around our local neighbourhood, many kindergartens were displaying their DIY funny face masks, paper lanterns and faces painted bamboo trays.  They held concerts in the evenings, watch dragon dancers and then march down the street with them singing loudly and carrying colourful lanterns of all different shapes, sizes and colours.

A work colleague gifted my children with a funny mask, glowing bunny ears and silly glasses.  My children also enjoyed a fun week making their DIY lanterns, painted bamboo plates and watched a dragon dance from our balcony.

Legend has it that many, many years ago a carp spirit came down and killed many children at night whilst their parents were working in the fields.  It is for that reason the children carry lanterns to protect them from the carp spirit as he terrified of light.

Another fun week #makingmemories