Mid-Autumn Festival in Vietnam

Every year at the full moon between mid-September and early October, Vietnam celebrates! This tradition inherited from China, celebrates the harvest! It was born in the 7th century in China under the Tang dynasty: the emperor is said to have visited the palace of the moon in the sky and then instituted festivals to admire the moon.

A culinary tradition: the moon cake

During this festival, the emperor enjoyed a cake, which later took the name of “moon cake”. Today, it is shared within the family and given as an offering to ancestors. It exists in two forms, one baked from a wheat flour crust and the other with a glutinous rice crust. It requires several months of preparation, in fact it is the syrup made from sugar, water, malt, ash water, lemon juice and zest that matures over time. The filling can be salty or sweet and is made up of many ingredients: pork, seeds, nuts, jams ... It can cost up to €30!

The Lion Dance

The lion dance takes place in the evening in the streets to celebrate mid-autumn. Children dress up as lions and go from house to house with drums to bring good luck to the inhabitants. There are always two people to play the lion! If the spectators enjoy the dance they will thank the dancers with some money.

I was able to discover simple dances, but also more difficult ones: fire-eaters, dancing on poles... always accompanied by drums and good humor.

A celebration that brings together all the inhabitants

Although this holiday is of Chinese origin, Vietnamese and ethnic minorities gather together to celebrate it! Often teenagers dressed as Buddha give sweets or “lucky money” to children.

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