Mid-Autumn Festival "Moonlight" shines Vietnamese spirit in Central Africa

In the blue uniform of the United Nations, Vietnamese peacekeeping officers joined the children, organizing many meaningful activities such as playing games, instructing on how to make lanterns, wrapping spring rolls, coloring pictures and telling stories about the Mid-Autumn Festival - a cultural feature of the Vietnamese people.

The working group took a souvenir photo at the Charity House.

Spreading Vietnamese culture in the heart of Africa

On the occasion of the Mid-Autumn Festival 2025, the Vietnamese Working Group at the United Nations Peacekeeping Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) organized a special cultural exchange program for disadvantaged children at the Charity House (Foyer de Charité) in the capital Bangui. The event was full of humanistic significance, not only spreading the traditional beauty of Vietnam but also contributing to strengthening the friendship between the people of Vietnam and the Central African Republic.

Mid-Autumn Festival, also known as Moon Festival, is one of the major traditional holidays of the Vietnamese people, associated with the image of the full moon - a symbol of reunion, happiness and love. On this occasion, children often receive gifts, carry lanterns together, break cakes, play lion drums and watch the moon. Those simple, familiar beauties were vividly recreated by the Vietnamese Working Group in the heart of the faraway capital of Bangui.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Lieutenant Colonel Duy Van Son - Head of the Working Group of the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defense at the MINUSCA Mission - shared: "We wish to bring to the Central African children not only joy during the Mid-Autumn Festival, but also spread the spirit of humanity and traditional culture of Vietnam - where children are always loved, cared for and given the best things."

After the introduction of the meaning of the Mid-Autumn Festival, the Vietnamese officers organized many interesting exchange activities. Many children were delighted to be guided to make traditional spring rolls - a rustic yet sophisticated dish, a harmonious combination of vegetables, meat, vermicelli and rice paper. Under the patient guidance of the "blue beret chefs", the little hands skillfully rolled each spring roll, waited for it to be fried until golden brown and then enjoyed it together with radiant joy.

In parallel, the lantern coloring and making area became the most attractive highlight. Brightly colored papers, crayons, small scissors and glue were passed around amidst cheerful voices and laughter. Vietnamese officers enthusiastically guided each step of folding, gluing and assembling the frame to create five-pointed star lanterns - a familiar symbol of the Vietnamese Mid-Autumn Festival. Then, when the late afternoon sunlight gradually faded, the lanterns were lit up, sparkling in the hands of the children. That light not only lit up joy but also illuminated hope and humanity across all borders.

Folk games such as “Dragon Snake Up in the Clouds”, “Tug of War” or “ Musical Chairs” also filled the grounds of the Charity House (Foyer de Charité) in the capital Bangui with laughter. Gimba, 10 years old, shared: “I am very happy to play with the Vietnamese uncles and aunts. This is the first time I have known about the Mid-Autumn Festival. I like the lanterns the most because they are bright and beautiful like the moonlight”.

Guide the local people to make spring rolls.

Gifts of love

Not only bringing joy, the Vietnamese Working Group at the United Nations Peacekeeping Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) also prepared many practical and meaningful gifts including books, school supplies, toys, candies and star lanterns to give to the children. These simple gifts were wrapped in the love and sharing of the blue beret soldiers - the peace messengers of Vietnam in a foreign land.

Major To Ngoc Anh, a female member of the Task Force, shared: “Many children here have never had the opportunity to celebrate a holiday dedicated to themselves. When we see them smile, we clearly feel the value of bringing joy and spreading love. Our Mid-Autumn Festival therefore becomes more meaningful than ever.”

This charity activity also received active support and coordination from local authorities and units of the MINUSCA Mission. Representatives of the Foyer de Charité in the capital Bangui expressed their deep gratitude, affirming that the program not only brought joy to children but also served as a cultural bridge between the two nations. “Central Africa is one of the countries that still faces many socio-economic difficulties, especially for poor children. In that context, the charitable activities of the Vietnamese Peacekeeping Force have brought valuable spiritual encouragement. The sincere feelings, friendly smiles and sharing of the Vietnamese officers have left a deep impression in the hearts of local people,” said a representative of the Foyer de Charité.

Not only an occasion for entertainment, the program “Mid-Autumn Moonlight of Vietnam” also contributes to promoting the image of the country and people of Vietnam - friendly, kind, peace-loving - to international friends. Thereby, clearly demonstrating the role, responsibility and mettle of the Vietnamese peacekeeping force in carrying out the common mission of the United Nations: Bringing peace, stability and development to countries affected by conflicts.

As the program ended, the full moon in Vietnam rose high, casting a gentle light on the streets filled with laughter on the Mid-Autumn Festival night. Halfway around the world, the star-shaped lanterns in the hands of Central African children were also lit one by one, as if extending the moonlight from Vietnam to Africa. It was not only the light of the Mid-Autumn Festival, but also the light of friendship, of sharing and belief in a better future - where every child, wherever they are, can live in peace and love.

Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/anh-trang-trung-thu-toa-sang-tinh-than-viet-tai-trung-phi-719793.html