Oct 04, 2017
Mid-Autumn Festival 2017 (Vietnam)
This Doodle’s Key Themes
Star lanterns, street dances, and mooncakes: these whimsical elements comprise a few core traditions of the Mid-Autumn Festival, Tết Trung Thu, in Vietnam. On the day when the moon is brightest during the year, many households set up an altar on which they display offerings to honor the full moon. Included in the offerings are fruits as well as rich round or square cakes filled with lotus seeds, ground beans, and an egg yolk, known as mooncakes.
On this night, many children also look out for a certain shape in the moon-- the image of chị Hằng, a character from Vietnamese folklore, believed to reside on the moon and beloved by many. She is honored today with her favorite fruits and cakes.
Out in the streets, children of all ages create a commotion with drums and dances. Shops sell a variety of lanterns to be carried at night, including the star lantern, one of the most popular lantern designs.
Whether you plan to celebrate by biting into a traditional mooncake or by basking in the moonlight, have a happy Mid-Autumn Festival!
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