Remembering the first Mid-Autumn Festival after independence

This year's Mid-Autumn Festival, as the country steps into a new era, brings to mind the perfectly round moon shining down on the independent countryside 80 years ago. The Mid-Autumn Festival of the Year of the Rooster (1945) and many years after that were truly brilliant and warm, not only because of the lanterns and lion dances... but also because it was illuminated by the light of independence and freedom.

A program themed "Breaking the Mid-Autumn Festival Feast" at Dong Nai Newspaper, Radio, and Television. Photo: Hanh Dung

"Happy Vietnamese children, long live independent Vietnam!"

The Mid-Autumn Festival of the Year of the Rooster (1945), 80 years ago, was perhaps a very special moon festival for children and for the entire nation, because it was the first Mid-Autumn Festival in independent Vietnam. During that meaningful Mid-Autumn Festival, President Ho Chi Minh sent two letters expressing his love and advice to the young generation of the country.

In the newspaper Cuu Quoc on September 17, 1945, President Ho Chi Minh wrote an article titled "Mid-Autumn Festival and Independence." He expressed his concern and love for children nationwide during this moon-gazing festival: "Mother has bought you lanterns, drums, firecrackers, flowers, and many other toys. You must be so happy!"

He expressed his joy with the children for two reasons: besides his deep affection for them, there was a very special reason: "This Mid-Autumn Festival, our country has gained freedom, and you children have become little citizens of an independent nation."

President Ho Chi Minh's joy was also the joy and elation of the entire nation during the first autumn of national independence. Although the task of national reconstruction had only just begun and faced countless difficulties, and President Ho Chi Minh was busy with a thousand things, he still showed great care and love for this important holiday in Vietnamese culture, especially for children.

Mid-Autumn Festival activities not only demonstrate care and concern for the future generation of the country but also contribute to preserving the cultural values ​​of the nation. The characters of Cuoi and Hang, along with star-shaped lanterns, mooncakes, feasts on the full moon night, and the lively sound of lion dance drums echoing through the neighborhoods, will forever remain cherished childhood memories.

Dr. Nguyen Thi Nguyet, former Vice President of the Dong Nai Association of Literature and Arts

Not long after, in the newspaper Cuu Quoc on September 22, 1945, President Ho Chi Minh continued to write a letter to children. In the letter, he gave advice and expressed his trust and expectations: “You must be well-behaved, obey your parents at home, be diligent in your studies; and show respect and love to your friends. You must love our country. I hope that when you grow up, you will become citizens worthy of our independent and free nation.” Then he concluded the letter with a slogan and also a wish and message for future generations: “Happy Vietnamese children / Long live independent Vietnam.”

The advice and loving sentiments that President Ho Chi Minh conveyed to children during the first Mid-Autumn Festival after independence were simple, full of emotion, and profoundly meaningful. Through the festivities of the Mid-Autumn Festival, he not only expressed his love for the children in a simple and sincere way but also encouraged, inspired, and believed that they would "grow up to be citizens worthy of an independent and free country."

From August 7th to 15th (lunar calendar), the Dong Nai Children's House will organize performance groups to serve Mid-Autumn Festival celebrations in various locations throughout the province, including Dong Xoai ward, Thanh Son commune, Tan Trieu ward, Phu Ly commune, and Dong Nai Children's Hospital.

In the book "117 Stories about the Moral Exemplary Life of Ho Chi Minh" (National Political Publishing House - Truth, 2007), there is a story about Uncle Ho and the first Mid-Autumn Festival after independence. According to the story, Uncle Ho not only wrote letters to children but also directly met with them and shared the joy on this special occasion. That year's Mid-Autumn Festival appeared truly joyful and warm: “Hoan Kiem Lake was bustling with activity. Electric lights twinkled in the tree canopies. Thousands upon thousands of paper lanterns in the children's hands reflected on the lake's surface. The top of the Turtle Tower shone brightly with banners proclaiming "Vietnam Independent." At exactly 8 PM, the first independent Mid-Autumn Festival began. After the flag-raising ceremony, a child representing tens of thousands of Hanoi children expressed their joy at becoming young masters of an independent nation... The ceremony concluded, and the well-organized processions marched to the resounding sound of drums towards the Northern Government House. Leading the procession were lion and dragon dance troupes, along with thousands upon thousands of shimmering paper lanterns swirling like a river of stars…”

Following the warm moonlit seasons

Eighty years have passed, yet President Ho Chi Minh's trust and expectations for future generations remain as valuable as ever, continuing to be a profound lesson in the practical work of caring for, nurturing, and educating young people today.

Lion dance performance during the Mid-Autumn Festival for Children 2025 in Loc Hung commune, Dong Nai province. Photo: An Nhon

In Dong Nai, every Mid-Autumn Festival, moon-gazing activities are held with the joint efforts of the entire political system and the community. The aim is to bring a joyful and warm Mid-Autumn Festival to children, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds, ethnic minority children, and working-class children.

The Mid-Autumn Festival celebration, featuring lantern processions, lion and dragon dances, and especially the giving of Mid-Autumn gifts to underprivileged children, is a program regularly maintained by the Dong Nai Children's House.

Mr. Truong Hai Thi, Director of the Dong Nai Children's House, said: This year, the Mid-Autumn Festival - Lanterns Lighting Up Dreams continues to bring joy to the children as they carry lanterns along the main streets of Tran Bien ward; and listen to the President's letter to the children on the occasion of the 2025 Mid-Autumn Festival. The organizing committee also donated 200 gifts to students from disadvantaged backgrounds who have strived to excel in their studies, children with special circumstances, and children of workers in the rented housing area...

This year, children across the country are able to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival more fully and abundantly, but the spirit and love that spread during that independent moonlit night are still present, reminding today's generation of gratitude, unity, and the value of independence and freedom.

This year, children across the country and in Dong Nai are eagerly anticipating moon viewing, lantern parades, and feasting... in joyful spirits from cities to rural areas striving for modernization, as the enthusiasm and determination to build a strong and prosperous Vietnam are rising. Vietnamese people, from young children to the elderly, from the lowlands to the highlands, are strengthening their bonds of unity and solidarity, from family to community. Traditional cultural values ​​continue to be revived in contemporary life, so that future moonlit nights in a peaceful and beautiful Vietnam will always be warm and fulfilling.

Nhat Ha

Source: https://baodongnai.com.vn/dong-nai-cuoi-tuan/202510/nho-mua-trung-thu-doc-lap-dau-tien-43401bc/