If you think Vietnam looks magical on a normal day, wait till the Mid Autumn Festival Vietnam season turns the streets into a glowing lantern dream. Known locally as Tet Trung Thu, the Mid Autumn Festival in Vietnam is one of the most loved cultural festivals in Vietnam , especially for families and kids! Filled with lantern parades (ruoc den), lion dances (mua lan), moon gazing and of course, the famous Vietnamese mooncakes (banh trung thu).
For tourists searching for the Mid Autumn Festival in Vietnam 2026, this festival usually falls in September-October(15th day of the 8th Lunar month). The best places to experience it include Hoi An Ancient Town, Hanoi Old Quarter, and Ho Chi Minh’s Chinatown, where the vibe is loud, festive, and photo-perfect.
If you’re browsing Vietnam tour packages, planning your itinerary around Tet Trung Thu is one of the best ways to experience Vietnam at its most vibrant and culturally unforgettable.
Vietnam Mid-Autumn Festival Celebrations: Quick Info
- Local Name of the Festival: Tet Trung Thu
- Mid-Autumn Festival in Vietnam 2026 dates: Friday 25 Sept 2026
- Best cities to celebrate Mid Autumn Festival Vietnam: Hoi An, Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City
- Highlights: Lantern parades, lion dances and mooncakes
- Best for: Families, photographers and culture lovers.
- Best time to visit: Evening (6PM onwards) for peak lantern vibes.
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What is the Mid-Autumn Festival?
The Mid-Autumn Festival (called Tết Trung Thu in Vietnam) is one of the most loved festivals in the country, celebrated on the 15th day of the 8th Lunar Month. It’s often known as the “Festival of Lanterns” and is especially popular among children and families.
During the Mid-Autumn Festival in Vietnam, streets light up with colorful lantern parades, joyful lion dances, and festive markets selling toys and glowing lanterns. Families come together in the evening to admire the full moon, light candles, share stories, and enjoy traditional treats like Vietnamese mooncakes (Bánh trung thu).
The festival is all about family bonding, good luck, happiness, and celebrating the beauty of the full moon, making it one of the most magical cultural experiences for tourists visiting Vietnam.
Mid Autumn Festival in Vietnam 2026 Dates
The Mid Autumn Festival in Vietnam (Tet Trung Thu) is celebrated based on the Lunar calendar, not the regular calendar. It falls on the 15th day of the 8th Lunar Month, which is always a full moon night, making it the brightest and most festive evening of the year.
Mid Autumn Festival in Vietnam 2026 Dates
Friday 25 Sept 2026
Best Week to Plan Your Trip
For the best experience, plan your visit 5-7 days before the festival date, because that’s when Vietnam’s cities start buzzing with lantern markets, mooncake stalls, lion dance rehearsals, and night street celebrations, especially in Hoi An, Hanoi, and Ho Chi Minh City.
Suggested read: Hoi An Lantern Festival
How is Tet Trung Thu Celebrated in Vietnam?
Tet Trung Thu, also known as the Mid Autumn Festival in Vietnam, is celebrated with joyful traditions that light up the streets and bring families together. Here’s how locals celebrate it:
- Ruoc Den (Lantern Parade): Kids walk through streets carrying colorful lanterns shaped like stars, animals and cartoon characters.
- Mua Lan (Lion Dance): Loud drums, energetic dancers, and lion performances are done to bring good luck and chase away bad energy.
- Moon worship and family gathering: Families come together in the evening, admire the full moon, light candles and share snacks while spending quality time. Also families set up an ancestral five-fruit tray and mooncakes to express gratitude.
- Kids-centred celebrations: This festival is often called “children’s festival” in Vietnam, with games, performances and sweet treats everywhere.
- Mooncake gifting culture: People give Banh Trung Thu (mooncakes) to friends, relatives and colleagues as a symbol of love, prosperity and togetherness.
- Moon Viewing: Families gather under the full moon that symbolizes completeness and reunion.
Best Places to Celebrate Mid Autumn Festival Vietnam
Hoi An Ancient Town
Hoi An is hands-down the most magical place for the Mid Autumn Festival Vietnam vibe. Expect lantern-lit streets, glowing river views, floating candle boats, and dreamy photo spots everywhere. Don’t miss the night walk near the Thu Bon River.
Hanoi Old Quarter & Hang Ma Street
If you want loud, lively, and full-on festive energy, Hanoi is the place. Hang Ma Street becomes a colorful wonderland of lantern stalls, toys, and decorations, while the Old Quarter hosts street performances and parade vibes, making it one of the best places Mid-Autumn Festival Vietnam.
- Hang Ma street: This “Lantern street” is packed with stalls selling star-shaped lanterns, toys and paper masks for weeks leading to the main event night.
- Hoan Kiem Lake: It is a hub for family gatherings, lion dance performances, and so many amazing community lantern parades.
- Imperial Citadel of Thang Long: It is known for hosting special “Royal Mid-Autumn” exhibitions and workshops, such as making “spinning top” or butterfly lanterns.
- Workshops: You can attend workshops for an authentic experience, or you can even consider a paper mask making class to know more about the traditional toys.
Ho Chi Minh City District 5 (Chinatown)
For the most dramatic lion dances and buzzing crowds, head to District 5. This area is famous for its traditional mua lan performances, lantern markets, and mooncake shops that feel straight out of a festival movie.
- District 5 (Cholon): It is known as the epicenter of the festival is Luong Nhu Hoc Street, which is known as the city’s main “Lantern street”. You can witness elaborate displays, carp-shaped lanterns, and lion dances!
- Nguyen Hue walking street: This central area hosts festive decorations, food stalls and public performances.
- Cultural entertainment: Witness the Golden Dragon water puppet theater to see folk tales brought to life with amazing traditional puppetry.
Tuyen Quang City
Known for having the “grandest celebration”, featuring enormous, creatively designed lanterns that parade through the streets, attracting visitors nationwide.
Hue City
It is another notable location for experiencing traditional celebrations in Central Vietnam! You must come here to witness some of the most beautiful rituals done rightly.
What To Eat During the Mid Autumn Festival in Vietnam?
One of the best parts of the Mid Autumn Festival Vietnam experience is the food, sweet, comforting, and perfect for a festive evening stroll. Here’s what you must try:
- Banh Trung Thu (Mooncakes): The star of the Mid Autumn Festival in Vietnam! These traditional mooncakes come with fillings like lotus seed paste, red bean, salted egg yolk, and even modern flavors like chocolate and matcha, making it among the must-try Vietnamese dishes.
- Che Desserts: A popular Vietnamese sweet dish made with beans, coconut milk, jelly, and fruits. It’s refreshing, light, and super common during festival nights.
- Street Snacks: Expect grilled corn, skewers, fried snacks, and local sweets sold near lantern markets, perfect for munching while exploring festival streets.
- Vietnamese Tea Culture: Locals often enjoy mooncakes with hot green tea or jasmine tea to balance the sweetness. It’s a simple tradition, but feels very authentic and cozy.
Best Things to Do During Mid Autumn Festival Vietnam
- Go Lantern shopping: Go lantern shopping in the local markets because this is the best time to find traditional star lanterns, animal-shaped lanterns, and handmade paper lanterns that Vietnam is famous for.
- Stroll in Hoi An Ancient Town: Take a slow evening walk in Hoi An Ancient Town, where the streets glow with lantern lights and the entire city feels like a real-life festival postcard.
- Witness Mid Autumn Festival Traditions in Vietnam: Watch a traditional lion dance (Mua lan) performance, which is one of the biggest highlights of the Mid Autumn Festival in Vietnam. The drum beats, crowd energy, and performances are truly unforgettable.
- Visit Night markets: Visit night markets in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City to experience the full festive vibe, street food stalls, lantern sellers, mooncake shops, and kids parading with lights everywhere.
- Try local delicacies: Try different mooncake flavours (Banh Trung Thu), from classic lotus seed and salted egg yolk to modern versions like chocolate, matcha, or durian.
- Explore markets: Explore Hang Ma Street in Hanoi, which becomes the most colorful festival street in the country, filled with decorations, toys, lanterns, and Mid Autumn shopping scenes.
- Spend time like locals: Spend an evening like locals by sitting with family or friends, sipping tea, and enjoying mooncakes under the full moon, this is the most authentic way to experience Tet Trung Thu.
- Photography: Click loads of pictures because Mid Autumn Festival Vietnam is one of the most photogenic celebrations you’ll ever witness, especially in lantern-filled streets like Hoi An and Hanoi Old Quarter.
Travel Tips for Tourists: Mooncake Festival in Vietnam
- Book hotels early: Mid Autumn Festival in Vietnam is a peak travel time, especially in Hoi An and Hanoi. Hotels near the Old Town and central areas get sold out fast, so booking 2–4 weeks in advance is ideal.
- Mooncake Strategy:
- Flavours: Try the classic Banh Nuong (baked) or Banh Deo (sticky rice). For a "safe" entry point, go for mung bean or taro fillings.
- Deals: Stalls pop up weeks in advance. Prices often drop significantly (Buy 1 Get 1 or more) as the actual festival night approaches.
- Pairing: Enjoy your mooncake with bitter green tea to balance the intense sweetness.
- Best time to visit: The festival vibe is strongest in the evening, usually from 6 PM onwards, when lanterns are lit, streets get lively, and lion dance performances begin.
- Crowd safety tips: Expect heavy crowds in popular areas like Hoi An Ancient Town, Hang Ma Street, and District 5 in Ho Chi Minh City. Keep your phone and wallet safe, avoid carrying too much cash, and stay alert in packed lanes.
- Where to buy lanterns: For the best lantern shopping, head to Hoi An lantern shops, Hang Ma Street (Hanoi), and District 5 markets (Ho Chi Minh City). You’ll find everything from traditional star lanterns to cute modern designs.
- Best photo spots: For the most iconic Mid Autumn Festival Vietnam pictures, visit Hoi An riverside lantern streets, Japanese Covered Bridge, Hanoi Old Quarter, and Chinatown District 5 for vibrant lion dance shots.
Suggested read: Shopping malls in Vietnam
Is the Mid-Autumn Festival in Vietnam Worth Visiting?
Absolutely yes. The Mid Autumn Festival in Vietnam is not just a festival,it’s a whole vibe of glowing lantern streets, joyful lion dances, sweet mooncakes, and family-style warmth that tourists rarely get to experience so closely.
Whether you’re walking through the lantern-lit lanes of Hoi An, shopping on Hang Ma Street in Hanoi, or catching the festive energy in Ho Chi Minh City’s Chinatown, Tet Trung Thu feels like Vietnam at its happiest.
