Mid Autumn Festival 2023 Tet Trung Thu | Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam Busy Nightlife | 4K Walking Tour

👋 Hello! Today, Jiji Goes to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam during the Mid Autumn Festival (Tết Trung Thu). We started our walk from a local park (Công viên Hầm Thủ Thiêm) that offers a playground, street food vendors, view of the Saigon River as well as the colorful city that reflects on the water in the evening. It leads to the Ben Bach Dang Park (Công viên Bến Bạch Đằng), and from there, we walked towards the vibrant Nguyen Hue Walking Street (Đ. Nguyễn Huệ) where we spent most of our time walking around. Eventually, we ended with the view of the lotus flower fountain (Nhạc Nước Nguyễn Huệ) and the French colonial style city hall (People’s Committee Building)~

Nguyen Hue Street is an iconic street located in the heart of District 1. Typically, it is closed to vehicular traffic from 7PM to midnight on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. During this time, the street comes alive with a vibrant atmosphere, and locals and tourists flock to enjoy various activities.

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🎞️ Chapters
00:00 Highlights
02:12 Start of walk at the bridge (Cầu Mống)
08:36 Local park by the Saigon river (Công viên Hầm Thủ Thiêm)
17:56 Busy traffic
24:35 Bạch Dang Wharf (Bến Bạch Đằng)
34:48 Crossing the street
36:09 Nguyen Hue (Đ. Nguyễn Huệ)
53:44 Cat meet up 😸
1:20:39 End of walk at the lotus fountain (Nhạc Nước Nguyễn Huệ)

🏃🏻‍♀️ Where Jiji Went

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📖 The Vietnamese Mid-Autumn Festival, known as “Tết Trung Thu” in Vietnamese, is one of the most significant traditional festivals in Vietnam. It typically falls on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month, which is usually in September or early October on the Gregorian calendar. This festival is also commonly referred to as the “Children’s Festival” because it places a strong emphasis on family, children, and community.

Here are some key aspects and traditions associated with the Vietnamese Mid-Autumn Festival:

1. Lanterns 🏮: One of the most iconic symbols of the Mid-Autumn Festival is colorful lanterns, known as “đèn lồng.” These lanterns come in various shapes and sizes and are often handcrafted. Children carry them around, creating a beautiful and magical atmosphere in the evening.

2. Mooncakes 🥮: Mooncakes are traditional pastries that are a central part of this festival. They are typically round or square and filled with various fillings such as lotus seed paste, bean paste, salted egg yolks, and sometimes even meat or nuts. Mooncakes are often gifted to family and friends as a symbol of unity and togetherness.

3. Processions and Parades 🐉: In many Vietnamese towns and cities, there are processions and parades during the Mid-Autumn Festival. These often include lion dances, dragon dances, and traditional Vietnamese music. Children dressed in colorful costumes participate in these processions, creating a festive and lively atmosphere.

4. Traditional Games 🎲: Various traditional games and activities are organized during the festival. These can include dice games, lantern riddle solving, and folk dances. These games are meant to bring families and communities together.

5. Moon Gazing 🌙: Since the festival is held during the full moon, moon gazing is an essential part of the celebration. Families often gather outdoors to admire the full moon and share stories about the legendary figure Chang’e, who is said to reside on the moon.

6. Family Reunion 💓: The Mid-Autumn Festival is a time for families to come together and celebrate. Family members often travel long distances to be with their loved ones, and a big feast is prepared. Traditional Vietnamese dishes and fruits are commonly served.

7. Children’s Day 👶🏼: As mentioned earlier, this festival is often referred to as the “Children’s Festival.” It is a day to show love and appreciation for children. Parents and grandparents often buy new clothes and toys for the young ones, making it a special time for children.

8. Legend of Cuội 🌝: In addition to the story of Chang’e, another popular legend associated with the Mid-Autumn Festival is the story of Cuội, a Vietnamese equivalent to the character of the man in the moon. Cuội is said to have been banished to the moon for his misdeeds, and his story is often told to children during the festival.

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🗓️ Filmed: September 29, 2023

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