Mid-Autumn Festival in Vietnam: All About Tet Trung Thu 2025!

Mid-Autumn Festival in Vietnam: All About Tet Trung Thu 2025!

It is no surprise that lunar worship has been practiced worldwide for thousands of years. In Eastern countries like Vietnam, the Mid-Autumn Festival (or Moon Festival) has evolved from the concept of moon worship. This festival, known as Tet Trung Thu in Vietnamese, takes place annually on the 15th day of the 8th month of the lunar calendar, falling in September or October. It is always celebrated during a full moon night, earning it the nickname of the Moon Festival or Harvest Moon Festival.

Read our article to learn more about the origin, significance, and celebration of one of Vietnam's largest festivals!

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Written by Jade NGUYEN, (local expert) Updated on 18-09-2025
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1. What is the Date of the Moon Festival in 2025?

The Mid-Autumn Festival, celebrated on the full moon day of the 15th day of the 8th lunar month, is a great festival in many Asian countries. In 2025, the Moon Festival will take place on Monday, October 6.

Plan your visit to the Mid-Autumn Festival in 2025 one to three weeks before or one to two weeks after it begins. During this season, streets and shops are adorned with bright red and yellow decorations, lanterns, and joyful markets. The atmosphere is exciting, with lion dances, cultural performances, and an abundance of mooncakes to savor.

Mid-Autumn Festival
Decorations sold for the Mid-Autumn Festival

2. The history of the moon festival in Vietnam

With a civilization largely based on rice farming for over 4,000 years, the Vietnamese hold various festivals following the lunar calendar to celebrate harvest prosperity.

Tet trung thu
Tet trung thu, family reunion festival

The largest Vietnamese festival, Tet or the Lunar New Year, was once celebrated at the beginning of a new rice season. It was a time when farmers planted rice and plowed fields to ensure sufficient harvests for autumn.

A good harvest allowed farmers to avoid food shortages and have a stable financial situation. To celebrate rice and its nourishing and commercial virtues, the Vietnamese created the Harvest Festival - Tet Trung Thu.

You might wonder, what is the connection between the autumn full moon and rice harvests? Unlike the sun, the moon changes its face throughout the month and can even change shape from day to day. The deeply religious Vietnamese believe that the moon symbolizes the unity of the Vietnamese people, united and supportive.

beautiful rice harvest in Vietnam
The beautiful rice paddy field in Vietnam in harvest season

The bright full moon in mid-autumn, the most beautiful night of the year, has even more significance as it represents the concept of completeness. Thus, the Mid-Autumn Festival is a perfect occasion to gather family members and celebrate a good agricultural harvest.

Good to know 🌕✨

The Mid-Autumn Festival is also called the Reunion Festival (family gathering), Children’s Festival (joyful celebrations), Moon Watching Festival (admiring the full moon), and Lantern Festival (floating lanterns with wishes).

>>> Read more: 7 Amazing Places to Catch Stunning Rice Fields in Vietnam!

 

The Legend of Cuội 

Cuội, a woodcutter, discovered a magical tree that could bring the dead back to life. One day, he saw a mother tiger use its leaves to revive her cubs. Cuội took the tree home and saved many lives with its leaves.

Cuội’s fame grew, and he even revived a rich man’s daughter, marrying her. However, while Cuội was away, invaders killed his wife. His loyal dog offered its entrails to replace hers, and she lived, but became forgetful.

legend of cuội
Look up at the moon, and you can see the silhouette of Cuội sitting under his banyan tree.

One evening, Cuội’s wife, not remembering his warning, used dirty water that had been used to wash feet to water the sacred tree. The ground shook, and the tree began to uproot. Cuội tried to save the tree, but it lifted him to the moon. Since then, Cuội has lived on the moon with his tree.

3. Tet Trung Thu, the Children’s Festival in Vietnam

Observing the Mid-Autumn Festival in other Asian countries, the traditions and rituals seem quite similar. However, notable differences exist in Vietnam as Tet Trung Thu is both a reunion event and a festival dedicated to children.

Tet Trung thu
Tet Trung thu, children's day in Vietnam

Indeed, this day can remind us of Children’s Day because kids receive lovely gifts or new clothes from their parents. In the evening, under a shining moon, children parade through the streets singing and carrying colorful lanterns of various sizes and shapes, such as star, butterfly, or fish-shaped lanterns. Some lanterns are red stars, the emblem of this festival, as the Vietnamese believe the star’s twinkling light symbolizes purity, like children’s innocence.

Colorful lanterns in mid autumn festivals
Colorful lanterns of different sizes and shapes
 
Good to know: September in Vietnam is Mid-Autumn season - one of the best times to visit and explore.
The traditional lion dance (múa lân) is a Mid-Autumn highlight. Acrobatic dancers bring the lion to life with drumbeats, its big head and bulging eyes looking both playful and a little scary under the full moon. In the parade, a masked dancer as Ông Địa (the Earth God) entertains the crowd, especially children.
>>> Read More: Vietnamese Lion Dance
Unicorn Dance
Lion Dance in Vietnam

Afterward, families share a festive banquet of fruits, sweets, and, of course, mooncakes: the stars of the Mid-Autumn Festival.

mid autumn parties

4. The Moon Cake Festival

Moon cakes, known as “Banh Trung Thu” in Vietnamese, are directly associated with the Mid-Autumn Festival in Vietnam. Across the country, families celebrate Tet Trung Thu by placing a tray of five fruits and several moon cakes on the ancestral altar to express their gratitude.

Mooncakes
Mooncakes, a must-try during your trip to Vietnam

The two most popular moon cakes are Bánh Dẻo (soft, sticky cakes with a glutinous rice crust) and Bánh Nướng (baked cakes with a golden crust). Shaped into rounds or squares, they feature intricate designs like flowers, carp, or geometric patterns. The fillings of Bánh Trung Thu come in a variety of sweet and savory options.

The savory moon cake recipe is more complex than the sweet one, consisting of a dozen ingredients such as pork fat, sausages, jams, and various types of seeds and nuts. The sweet filling, on the other hand, is made from a single ingredient: mung bean paste or lotus seed paste. The moon cake is usually cut into small pieces and shared among family members. This sweet cake is traditionally accompanied by a hot cup of green tea.

Everything you need to know about mooncakes: Vietnamese mooncakes: Best flavors and authentic recipe 🥮
Mooncakes
. This sweet cake is traditionally accompanied by a hot cup of green tea.

During the Mid-Autumn Festival in Vietnam, moon cakes are generally given as gifts to family and friends. However, the Vietnamese also exchange moon cakes between clients and colleagues to demonstrate loyalty, sincerity, and commitment.

5. Where to Visit in Vietnam During Tet Trung Thu?

  • Hoi An Ancient Town

Hoi An is already nicknamed the city of lanterns. It is the most beautiful old town in Vietnam, with thousands of lanterns illuminating all the alleys of the old town. Imagine the Mid-Autumn festivities, everything is even more dazzling, multiplied by two!

hoi an mid autumn festival
Mid Autumn Festival in Hoi An

Each year, during the Mid-Autumn period, the streetlights of Hoi An’s historic city gradually turn off, allowing residents to hang lanterns in front of their houses. The colorful city is then lit up by thousands of lanterns and floating paper lamps... like a dream!

This spectacle becomes even more magical during your stroll through the streets along the Thu Bon River. On the main day of the festival, people release floating lanterns, illuminating the entire river. Also, discover the craftsmanship of Vietnamese lantern-making and its secrets during your visit to Hoi An.

 
  • Hanoi Old Quarters

As the millennial capital of Vietnam, Hanoi is a must-visit destination to discover the local culture and traditions of the Mid-Autumn Festival in Vietnam.

tet trung thu
Old Quarters, Hanoi is where you can experience the joyful ambiance of this festival

During this period, you can experience the joyful ambiance of this festival in the old quarters, particularly on Hang Ma Street. This bustling street, renowned for selling all kinds of traditional decorations, lights up with numerous lanterns in various shapes.

  • China Town (Cho Lon) - Ho Chi Minh City

Like Hang Ma Street in Hanoi, Luong Nhu Hoc and Hai Thuong Lang Ong streets in the Chinatown of Ho Chi Minh City are among the most bustling areas during the Trung Thu Festival.

mid autumn festival
China town (Cho Lon) in HCMC is the most bustling area during Trung Thu Festival

These streets host hundreds of stalls selling all sorts of decorations for the festival, creating a very lively and colorful atmosphere.

With streets adorned with colorful lanterns, the vibrant lion dances are also an interesting aspect of the festival.

 
  • The Northern mountainous regions

September in Northern Vietnam is a special time when the Mid-Autumn Festival and the rice harvest season come together. Terraced fields turn golden, the air is filled with the smell of ripe rice, and villages celebrate under the full moon.

>>> Explore the beauty of North Vietnam with us: Best Time to Visit North Vietnam in 2025

6. Mid-Autumn Festival in Vietnam 100 Years Ago

The color photographs of Mid-Autumn toys on Hang Gai Street, Hanoi in 1915, captured by photographer Léon Busy, open a gateway to the past. These are among the first color photos with high accuracy, showcasing skilled use of angles, character positioning, and lighting.

vietnam mid autumn festival
Mid-Autumn toys on Hang Gai Street, Hanoi in 1915

The Mid-Autumn toys, entirely handmade by Vietnamese ancestors, were intricate and aesthetically pleasing.
Besides the series on Mid-Autumn toys, Léon Busy also captured scenes of Hang Chen, Hang Thiec, Long Bien Bridge, Tran Vu Pagoda gate, the Temple of Literature, and Ngoc Son Temple in 1915. These are among the earliest color photos of Hanoi using autochrome technology. 

vietnam mid autumn festival
The Mid-Autumn toys, entirely handmade by Vietnamese ancestors, were intricate and aesthetically pleasing.

Today, 1,382 color photos of Vietnam and some early 20th-century film footage are preserved at the Albert Kahn Museum in France.
Albert Kahn, a French banker passionate about color photography for its vivid representation of life, funded equipment and hired photographers to capture color images from around the world. Léon Busy was sent by the Albert Kahn Museum to Vietnam to document daily life in Northern Vietnam from 1914 to 1917, giving us the chance to see ancient Vietnam.

vietnam mid autumn festival
Today, 1,382 color photos of Vietnam are preserved at the Albert Kahn Museum in France.

Closing Remarks

For unique experiences rich in Asian culture, visit Vietnam during this period to see children carrying lanterns, taste delicious moon cakes, and buy lanterns or beautiful traditional decorations. The festive atmosphere will not disappoint you, especially for children.

If you want to introduce this famous festival to your children, check out our best family trips for ideas, and feel free to contact us if you have any questions!

 

>>> See more about things to do in Vietnam by month:

JANUARY FEBRUARY | MARCH | APRIL | MAY | JUNE JULY AUGUST | SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER | NOVEMBER | DECEMBER

>>>>  Travel around Vietnam with us:

 

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1/4.What is the largest city in Vietnam?
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Comments (4)
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HF
Harvey Fernandez13 Aug 2025
My mom, my aunt, and I will be visiting Vietnam in March 2026 for 10 days. After doing tons of research, my head is spinning. I initially tried to plan for all three regions of Vietnam, but it quickly felt like too much for such a short trip. After reading your posts, I’m leaning toward focusing on just two regions for a more relaxed and enjoyable experience. I’d like to minimize travel time within Vietnam as much as possible, especially since my mom and aunt are both over 50 and may not be up for long car or bus rides.
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KT
Kampá Tour 14 Aug 2025

Thank you for your question! Your itinerary looks great, but one day in Hanoi might feel a bit tight. You'll be able to see the main sights like the Old Quarter, Hoan Kiem Lake, the Temple of Literature, and the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, but it will be a busy day.

If you’d like a bit more time to enjoy the city, we can help you tweak the schedule:

You could take one day from Da Nang/Hoi An or shorten the Ha Long Bay cruise to one night, giving you more time in Hanoi.

In Da Nang/Hoi An, consider adding day trips like Ba Na Hills or My Son Sanctuary to fill those extra days.

For the Mekong Delta, an overnight stay in Can Tho or Ben Tre could make the experience even better.

Kampá Tour would be happy to help you organize your trip and make it as smooth as possible! Feel free to check out more details on our 10-day Vietnam itinerary here.

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A
Alys09 Sep 2024
I'm planning to do the Ha Giang loop on September 9/10. Could be dangerous with the rains? any advice?
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KT
Kampá Tour12 Sep 2024

Thanks for the question, buddy!

With Typhoon Yagi recently passing through and the rainy season in full swing, the Ha Giang Loop could be a bit tricky around September 9-10. The rains can lead to landslides and make the roads pretty slippery, especially in the mountains.

I'd say it’s worth checking the weather and road conditions before you head out. If it looks rainy, maybe keep your plans flexible or consider postponing. But if you go for it, make sure your bike’s in great shape and maybe ride with some experienced folks or a local guide.

Stay safe and have a blast!

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