Bringing the Mid-Autumn Festival back to the city.

These days, the Mid-Autumn Festival atmosphere has permeated the streets, bringing a sense of innocent excitement to children and joy to adults as they relive memories of past moonlit festivals.

The "Carp Gazing at the Moon" lantern model is brilliantly colored.

These "giant" models

Although the Mid-Autumn Festival hasn't arrived yet, these days, children in Bac Kan and Duc Xuan wards eagerly await the evening to join their parents in the lantern parade. The little ones eat dinner early, quickly do their homework, and, carrying their small, pretty Mid-Autumn lanterns, greet the giant lantern parades along the main streets.

We met with Mr. Truong Cong Luong (born in 1984), residing in Group 6A, Duc Xuan Ward - the owner of the "Dragon" and "Carp Gazing at the Moon" Mid-Autumn Festival lantern models that have been widely shared on social media in recent days.

When we arrived, Mr. Luong was busy putting the finishing touches on his "Carp Gazing at the Moon" lantern model.

Mr. Luong shared: "I started thinking about making large Mid-Autumn Festival lanterns in 2024. Initially, it was because my children really liked the large lantern models from other provinces on social media. I thought that not everyone has the means to travel far for the Mid-Autumn Festival, so if we can make our own lanterns, it will bring joy to my children and many other children."

In 2024, Mr. Luong's white swan-shaped Mid-Autumn Festival lantern model was very popular with children. For the 2025 Mid-Autumn Festival, after the Thai Nguyen Provincial Mid-Autumn Festival Organizing Committee launched the 2025 Mid-Autumn Lantern Procession Competition, many organizations came up with ideas and ordered lanterns from Mr. Luong.

Mid-Autumn Festival lantern model "Dragon"

Each large lamp he completed represented a great deal of dedication, time, and expense for Mr. Luong. He spent over a month making the white dragon model alone. Besides the iron frame, he ordered all the decorative materials from far away. Because of this, he had to dismantle the lamps many times due to unsuitable materials that didn't produce the light and effect he had envisioned.

Wishing to create a memorable Mid-Autumn Festival for children, after the models were completed, Mr. Luong requested permission from the relevant units to take them out for an early procession. Not only did he cover the costs such as fuel and fireworks, but Mr. Luong also carefully arranged for the neighborhood leader to accompany him, and his colleagues took turns ensuring traffic safety.

Currently, besides Mr. Luong, there is also a team of mechanics in Group 10A, Bac Kan Ward, who are making giant Mid-Autumn lanterns and organizing processions in the local area. Mr. Luong hopes that in future Mid-Autumn Festivals, in addition to individual activities, everyone will join hands to create beautiful memories of the Mid-Autumn Festival for children.

Lion dance takes to the streets.

The Minh Khai lion dance troupe brings the Mid-Autumn Festival atmosphere closer to children.

From the 1st to the 8th day of the lunar month, several lion dance groups appear, carrying lion heads, beating drums, and marching through the streets as an announcement and invitation. Afterwards, the groups will stop at central locations such as squares and large shops.

At Song Cau Pedestrian Street, the Minh Khai Lion Dance Troupe, consisting of over 20 people with 7 lion heads, enthusiastically performs to the sound of cheers and shouts. Established in 2014, after 11 years, the Minh Khai Lion Dance Troupe continues to perform regularly and actively, especially during holidays and Tet (Lunar New Year).

Currently, there are nearly 10 lion dance troupes in Bac Kan and Duc Xuan wards, mostly seasonal performers. Some larger troupes accept lion dance gigs for holidays and festivals such as Lunar New Year, Children's Day, grand openings, birthdays, etc.

The rest of the performances are mostly limited to the Mid-Autumn Festival, with dances held in public places. This year's Mid-Autumn Festival is even more vibrant with the 2025 Mid-Autumn Lantern Procession Competition, themed "Thai Nguyen - Sparkling Full Moon Night," bringing together communes and wards throughout the province.

Mr. Truong Cong Luong (Duc Xuan ward) meticulously completes his "giant" Mid-Autumn Festival lantern model before the procession.

The model-making and lantern procession competitions will take place in three main areas: Vo Nguyen Giap Square (Phan Dinh Phung Ward), Van Xuan Square (Van Xuan Ward), and the Cultural Center Square (Bac Kan Ward).

Taking place from October 3rd to 4th, the event promises to bring children and residents a complete Mid-Autumn Festival experience. From the beginning of the eighth lunar month, giant lantern parades and colorful lion dances have created a vibrant Mid-Autumn atmosphere throughout the streets.

They are the ones who "bring the Mid-Autumn Festival to the streets," bringing joy and pride in the traditional beauty of the nation to everyone.

Source: https://baothainguyen.vn/xa-hoi/202509/goi-trung-thu-ve-pho-1900d66/