Nostalgic Journey: Celebrating Mid-Autumn Festival in Hanoi Over 100 Years Ago

Step back in time and explore the enchanting atmosphere of Hanoi's Mid-Autumn Festival (Tet Trung Thu) as it was celebrated over a century ago. Rare historical photographs and archival records offer a fascinating glimpse into the rich cultural traditions, vibrant street life, and simple joys that defined this beloved festival in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

In Hanoi of yesteryear, the Mid-Autumn Festival was a magical time, especially for children. The bustling streets of the Old Quarter, particularly Hang Ma Street, were filled with traditional handmade toys, colorful paper lanterns, and exquisite paper masks. Unlike the modern plastic toys of today, children a century ago cherished simple, beautifully crafted items like star lanterns made of bamboo and cellophane, clay firecrackers, and small rotating lanterns (den keo quan) that told ancient folk stories through moving shadows.

Families gathered to prepare traditional mooncakes and set up elaborate mid-autumn trays filled with seasonal fruits like pomelos, persimmons, and bananas, carefully carved into animal shapes. The festival was not only a celebration for children but also an important occasion for communities to express gratitude for a bountiful harvest and pray for future prosperity. Looking back at these vintage images reminds us of the enduring spirit of Vietnamese cultural heritage and the timeless beauty of Hanoi's historic traditions.

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