Hanoi's Old Quarter bustles with mid-autumn festival

ABO/NDO- The Mid-autumn festival opened at Dong Xuan Area Market in the downtown of Hanoi’s Old Quarter in Hoan Kiem District on September 22.

Running until September 29, the festival will be held along Hang Ma Street, Dong Xuan market’s surrounding area, the pedestrian area from Hang Dao to Hang Giay streets, the walking area around Hoan Kiem Lake, and many cultural sites in Hoan Kiem District.

Hang Ma Street is a favourite place for festival goers, as it houses numerous shops selling toys and decorative items for the Mid-Autumn Festival, such as lanterns and drums.

A traditional market reproducing the full-moon festival in the old days is being set up along Hang Ma and Hang Luoc streets, to host cultural and arts performances, folk games, a lantern procession, and a contest on arranging fruit trays to celebrate the festival.

A performance at the opening ceremony (Photo: hanoimoi.com.vn).

Speaking at the ceremony, Vice Chairman of Hoan Kiem District People's Committee Nguyen Quoc Hoan said that Hanoi’s Old Quarter Mid-Autumn Festival is held annually to honour, preserve and promote the cultural value of Hanoi's Old Quarter, develop community-based cultural space, meeting the needs of people and tourists.

The organisation of the festival also demonstrates the responsibility of the district’s Party committee and authorities for taking care of children while creating a joyful playing venue for them during the Mid-Autumn Festival.

Visitors at the opening ceremony were entertained with an exciting lion dance, puppetry performances, and children’s songs and dances.

On the occasion, the Hoan Kiem district People’s Committee presented gifts to disadvantaged children and those with outstanding academic results in the district.

(Source: NDO)