TET TRUNG THU (NATIVE FESTIVAL FOR KIDS)

The following are a photo series of a French institute dedicated to the study of Asian societies (Ecole Francaise d'Extreme - Orient) has currently stored at the Library of Social Sciences. These photos re-shows the Mid-Autumn Festival activities of the 70s when city life has gradually formed in Hanoi.

Tết Trung Thu (Trung Thu also) is known in Vietnam referred to Mid-Autumn Moon Festival in some countries, is a beautiful and ancient festival that revolves around children.

This festival is native to Southeast Asia and is traditionally held on the 15th day of the 8th Lunar Month. This year, it is September 8, 2014, the same day as the full moon. The Mid-Autumn Moon Festival, a huge popular festival, has been important to families in native Vietnam for many years.

It is believed that Trung Thu was originally created as a way for parents to take care of their children after harvest season. It was time to do something special with their children and was held under the full moon, which shows happiness and wealthy of life.

Lanterns were for sale at every shops in Hang Gai and Hàng Ma Street, Hanoi

Trung Thu has closely attached to Lantern in Vietnam. Each child is keen on to show off their lantern in streets with their friends. When i was a child, no matter how busy my parents were, they would make time for me to buy a favorite lantern before this festival.

There are various kinds of shapes such as fishes, stars, butterflies and so on. Some special lanterns that spin when a candle is inserted, representing the earth circling the sun.

Watching a lantern (crab shape) was an elegant and dying entertainment for kids waiting for Mid-Autumn Festival

It is customary that children are often given Bánh 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.

Children were curious to look at bakers making Moon cakes

Nowadays, though we are in a much fuller, better life with diverse modern things, Trung Thu has not changed much and has still kept its own meaning in Vietnamese people's mind.

A reliable address with the famous trademark of Moon Cake in Hanoi

In order to help children get ready for Trung Thu, parents somewhere can help children make their lanterns and costumes. They together 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!

Trung Thu is very similar to a combination of Halloween and Thanksgiving in western countries. Children fully bustle on streets, while singing and carrying colorful lanterns of different sizes.

Dances has also been traditional dragon and flower

I have a lot of thoughts about how Vietnam will have changed in the future. However, changes do not mean ruin. I strongly believe that Mid Autumn Festival has kept and developed with its own meaning. It will always be the most important festival for kids and play an vital role with childhood. Come and enjoy this festival to experience a native Vietnam. Smile and let your childhood come back to you!

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