September will be full of colourful lantern floats, lion dances, mooncakes, and family festivities throughout Vietnam in Tet Trung Thu 2026. Major cultural events will precede and follow the full-moon night of Vietnam Mid-Autumn Festival 2026 which is on September 25. Hanoi’s Old Quarter is preparing an extended program of heritage (OT), Ho Chi Minh City will host family entertainment and lantern activities.
Tet Trung Thu 2026 Date in Vietnam
The Tet Trung Thu 2026 date is Friday, September 25, corresponding to the 15th day of the eighth lunar month in the Vietnamese calendar.
Tết Trung Thu is traditionally associated with:
- Colorful lanterns and lantern parades
- Lion and dragon dances
- Mooncakes and family gatherings
- Children’s cultural activities
- Traditional toys and handicrafts
- Community performances and storytelling
Although September 25 is the main festival night, activities can continue for days or weeks around the date.
Why September Is Special for Trung Thu
The Mid-Autumn Festival in Vietnam is also a festival where children and families are particularly linked. Star-shaped lanterns and masks and other traditional symbols are often used to decorate streets, cultural venues and shopping areas.
The festival is also a good chance for visitors to experience traditional Vietnamese crafts and community celebrations away from the annual big events in Vietnam.
Tet Trung Thu 2026 Hanoi Events and Lantern Streets
Hanoi is organizing one of the biggest Tet Trung Thu 2026 events with the program “Lưu trăng phố cổ 2026”.
The programme is based on Hoàn Kiếm Lake and the Old Quarter streets and takes place from the end of August to September 30 which links together six heritage, cultural and community spaces.
Hoan Kiem Lake Lantern Procession
The highlight event is one the “Đêm Trăng Phố Cổ” (Old City Night) around the pedestrian zone in front of Hoàn Kiếm Lake on September 25 at 7 pm.
The Hanoi Department of Culture and Sports estimates that about 1,000 participants will join 15 artistic procession groups. Traditional symbols include:
- Lion and dragon dances
- Moon Palace-themed floats
- Traditional lanterns
- Carp and paper-horse figures
- Five-fruit trays
- Festival flags
- Children’s lantern groups
The event will also feature handmade lantern designs inspired by Hanoi landmarks such as Tháp Bút and Đài Nghiên.
Hang Ma Street and Old Quarter
Still one of the most familiar places to enjoy the Mid-Autumn Festival ambiance is Hang Ma Street where lanterns, masks, children’s toys and seasonal decorations are still a major attraction to watch.
During the evening hours near September 25, there will be more people walking around the Old Quarter.
The city is also hosting its Autumn Festival 2026 in September, which will include cultural events, heritage activities and food-related activities.
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Tet Trung Thu 2026 Ho Chi Minh City Events
Ho Chi Minh City is known for its unique Tet Trung Thu 2026 celebrations, which blend traditional festivities with family-friendly activities at commercial and cultural spaces.
One of the traditional links is with District 5, which has a long history of lanterns and lion dancing amongst the city’s Hoa population. Mid-Autumn and lion-dance festivals are listed under the recurring cultural activities of the area in the official city cultural documentation.
Present-day listings of 2026 events also feature exhibits of lanterns and family programs in the vicinity of September 25-26, offering visitors more than just the main thoroughfares of the city.
Where to See Lanterns in Ho Chi Minh City
For visitors, useful areas to check include:
- District 5 — traditional Hoa cultural atmosphere and lantern-related activities.
- Cho Lon — historic Chinese-Vietnamese cultural area with seasonal decorations.
- Major shopping centers — family-focused Trung Thu programs and lantern displays.
- Local cultural venues — performances, children’s activities and traditional crafts.
Event schedules can change, so visitors should verify individual venue announcements before traveling.
FAQs
When is Tet Trung Thu 2026 in Vietnam?
The main Tet Trung Thu 2026 celebration is September 25, 2026. Hanoi’s major Old Quarter lantern procession is scheduled for the evening of that date.
Where is the best place to see lanterns in Hanoi?
The Hanoi Old Quarter and Hoàn Kiếm Lake area will be major locations, particularly for the September 25 “Đêm Trăng Phố Cổ” lantern procession.
What can visitors do during Vietnam’s Mid-Autumn Festival?
Visitors can watch lion dances, see lantern processions, explore traditional toy displays, try mooncakes and attend cultural performances.
Is Tet Trung Thu a public holiday in Vietnam?
No. Tết Trung Thu is not a national public holiday, so normal business and transportation operations generally continue, although popular festival areas can become significantly busier.
