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For days leading up to the full moon, the suburban villages of Hoai Duc district have been bustling with preparations. Lion dance troupes practice, children eagerly make star-shaped lanterns, and adults work together to prepare the feast. Everyone contributes, working together to preserve the beauty of the village festival, hoping to bring the village a complete Mid-Autumn Festival. Activities such as lantern processions, lion dances, and fire-breathing are still maintained, creating a vibrant Mid-Autumn atmosphere that is both lively and rich in traditional values.
The lion dance troupe from Cao Xa Thuong village started performing at 8 PM, moving around the village and creating a festive atmosphere throughout the hamlets.
Young men in the village perform fire-breathing acts during the lion dance – a unique tradition preserved through many festival seasons.
The fire-breathing lion dance troupe is considered the soul of the traditional Mid-Autumn Festival in Hoai Duc. In Cao Xa Thuong village, the troupe has about 15 members, mostly young people from the village. They begin their parade on the 11th day of the 8th lunar month, traveling through the alleys and hamlets to bring the Mid-Autumn atmosphere to every home. The sound of drums, gongs, and cheers, combined with the flickering flames from the lion's mouth, creates a vibrant yet warm atmosphere that fills anyone who witnesses it with joy.
This year's lion dance performance attracted a large crowd of villagers, creating a lively and bustling atmosphere.
The lion dance troupe paraded through the village, their shouts and rhythmic drumming creating a lively and exciting atmosphere.
The Mid-Autumn Festival team took a commemorative photo in front of the temple gate after completing the traditional ceremony at the beginning of the evening's festivities.
Mr. Phi Huu Tung - Secretary of the Youth Union, Organizing Committee shared: “This year's lion dance team consists of 15 young members. This year, the number of people coming to watch is much higher than last year, creating a lively atmosphere throughout the village. After the opening performance in the village square, the team will go around the alleys and hamlets. When we come to the temple and village communal house, we perform rituals according to custom, with the participation of the nuns and the temple caretaker, to pray for peace and a bountiful harvest.”
The Mid-Autumn Festival feast, prepared by the people of Giang Xa, Hoai Duc, reflects the traditional beauty of their rural village.
In Hoai Duc, the Mid-Autumn Festival is not just a celebration, but also an opportunity for the whole village to nurture and preserve traditional culture. In Giang Xa village, the atmosphere of preparing the moon-gazing feast is bustling: mooncakes and sticky rice cakes are neatly arranged, pomelos and bananas are beautifully displayed, alongside a figurine of a "doctor" - a symbol of aspirations for learning and success. Children excitedly carry star-shaped lanterns, following the lion dance troupe through the alleys, while adults meticulously prepare the feast, ensuring that the village's Mid-Autumn Festival retains its traditional spirit. The flickering firelight and the echoing drums through the small alleys illuminate the village with memories and the joys of childhood.
People brought their young children to watch, creating a lively and bustling atmosphere along the village road.
A unique aspect is the combination of artistic performance and ritual. When the lion dance troupe arrives at the communal house or temple, they participate in traditional ceremonies, with the support of the nuns and temple caretakers. This is a moment for the community to pray for peace, and also a time for viewers to feel the profound cultural values and sense of community within the festival.
The children were excited and delighted to be able to touch the lion dance head.
Compared to the Mid-Autumn Festival in the city, the Mid-Autumn Festival in Hoai Duc has its own unique charm: flickering flames, lively drumming, fragrant incense smoke, and the boisterous sounds of laughter and conversation. It's not just a festival to watch, but an experience of living within tradition, memory, and community.
In 2025, under the full moon, from Cao Xa Thuong and Giang Xa to other villages in Hoai Duc, the Mid-Autumn Festival will once again shine brightly, proving that tradition is not only preserved but also given new life by the hands and dedication of the younger generation. Therefore, the Mid-Autumn Festival in Hoai Duc retains its original rural spirit – joyful, vibrant, and full of memories.
