The beauty of lanterns during Mid-Autumn Festival in Viet Nam

Mid-Autumn Festival, also known as the Reunion Festival, is one of the most important and traditional festivals in Vietnam. During this time, not only children but also adults eagerly await the celebration with joyful activities such as moon gazing, lantern parades, and sharing mooncakes. Speaking of the Mid-Autumn Festival, we cannot overlook one of its most iconic and beautiful symbols—the colorful and radiant lanterns. These lanterns are not just toys for children but also carry significant cultural, historical, and artistic value.

1. Lanterns – The Soul of the Vietnamese Mid-Autumn Festival

For centuries, lanterns have been an indispensable part of the Mid-Autumn Festival. For the Vietnamese, lanterns are not merely toys but reflect deep cultural traditions. According to folklore, the light from lanterns symbolizes illumination, bringing joy, happiness, and warmth to each family.

Lanterns during the Mid-Autumn Festival also represent reunion and family bonding. During this time, children gather to parade with their lanterns through the streets, accompanied by the vibrant sounds of lion dance drums, creating a joyful and lively atmosphere. Parents often buy lanterns for their children as gifts, symbolizing love and a desire to give them beautiful memories during this time of reunion.

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2. The Variety and Richness of Lanterns

Mid-Autumn Festival lanterns are diverse in shapes, colors, and materials, creating a shimmering, magical scene during moonlit nights. Traditional lanterns are typically handmade from cellophane, bamboo, and wire. Through the skilled hands of artisans, these simple materials are transformed into eye-catching lanterns of various shapes—from carp, stars, butterflies, to familiar folk images like the Earth God, water buffaloes, and dragon boats.

Star-shaped lanterns: This is the most popular and familiar lantern type for many generations of Vietnamese children. The five-pointed shape of the star lantern symbolizes luck, prosperity, and unity.
Kéo quân lanterns: One of the traditional types with high artistic value. When candles are lit inside, the heat from the candle turns the blades, making the images of characters attached to the lantern move, creating a lively scene.
Carp lanterns: In East Asian culture, carp symbolizes perseverance, success, and growth. Therefore, carp lanterns are often chosen by parents with hopes of bringing their children success and academic progress.
Moon lanterns: This type of lantern is shaped like the moon, an essential symbol of the Mid-Autumn Festival. The full, shining moon represents family reunion and happiness.

3. The Art of Traditional Lantern Making

The art of making lanterns is an essential part of Mid-Autumn culture. In traditional craft villages, lantern artisans often use natural materials such as bamboo, cellophane, colored paper, and paint. The process of making lanterns requires meticulousness, skill, and creativity.

The process begins with splitting bamboo into thin strips, then bending them into the desired frame shape. These bamboo strips are joined together with thin wire or thread, forming a sturdy skeleton for the lantern. After the frame is complete, artisans apply colored paper or cellophane to the frame and finally paint lively images onto the surface. Each lantern is a handcrafted piece of art, showcasing the creativity and dedication of the artisan.

In traditional craft villages like Báo Đáp (Nam Định) or Phú Bình (Saigon), the craft of making handmade lanterns has been passed down through many generations. It is not only a source of income for the locals but also a way to preserve and promote the cultural values of the nation.

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4. The Evolution of Lanterns Over Time

Today, in addition to traditional lanterns, the market has seen the emergence of modern lanterns with diverse features, such as LED lights instead of candles. Modern lanterns are often made of plastic, can light up, play music, and come in the shapes of popular cartoon characters. While these modern lanterns are popular with children due to their convenience and appeal, the beauty of traditional lanterns, rich in culture and history, remains undeniable.

The appearance of modern lanterns may raise concerns about the decline of handcrafted lanterns, but it also encourages artisans to innovate and create while maintaining the value of traditional lanterns. They not only preserve their craftsmanship but also introduce fresh elements, combining traditional techniques with modern styles, creating products that are both traditional and appealing to today’s youth.

5. Lanterns and Childhood Memories

For many Vietnamese, especially those who grew up in rural areas, the image of Mid-Autumn lanterns is closely linked with memories of vibrant lantern parades with friends. These were clear, moonlit nights where the glowing lanterns were proudly carried, creating a cheerful, happy atmosphere.

Mid-Autumn lanterns are not just toys but also symbols of reunion, family bonding, and community connection. The colorful, radiant lanterns, combined with the laughter of children and the drumbeats of lion dances, have become unforgettable images in the minds of every Vietnamese person.

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Conclusion

Mid-Autumn lanterns, with their sparkling beauty and variety of shapes, are not only an indispensable part of the Reunion Festival but also symbols of family unity and love. Even with the appearance of modern lanterns, traditional lanterns still hold their deep cultural value. Every Mid-Autumn Festival, these lanterns continue to light up the streets, bringing joy and happiness to both children and adults, while preserving and promoting the beautiful traditional values of the nation.

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