Top 5 differences between Mid-Autumn Festival in Vietnam and China

The Mid-Autumn Festival, also known as the Reunification Festival, this special New Year’s Day appears in many countries in Asia such as Vietnam, China, Korea, Singapore, etc. However, one Among the countries with a similar culture to Vietnam, which is China, do you wonder how the Mid-Autumn Festival in Vietnam and China is different?

Origin of the Mid-Autumn Festival

According to history, the Mid-Autumn Festival in China was born during the Shang Dynasty in the 10th century BC. At that time, people called this festival to celebrate a bountiful harvest in the full moon of August. Later in the year 618-907 of the Tang Dynasty, this festival became more and more popular and until the Zhou Dynasty, the term was used. Mid-Autumn Festival has just appeared. During the Chinese feudal era, the kings and officials at that time spent a lot of wealth to organize the festival to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival on the night of the full moon.

In Vietnam, according to ancient historical documents, the Mid-Autumn Festival in Vietnam was born during the Ly Dynasty in Thang Long capital with many fun activities such as: Mid-Autumn lantern procession, water puppet show, racing festival. boats,… Thanks to that, you can also know that the Mid-Autumn Festival in Vietnam was born after China.

Meaning of Mid-Autumn Festival in Vietnam and China

According to the legend of Vietnamese people, the Mid-Autumn Festival is the day for people to celebrate thanks to the Dragon for making rain to help the harvest. On this day, adults arrange the tray and children can go to break the feast and process the lights. Also on this occasion, everyone will buy moon cakes, tea to worship ancestors or as gifts for grandparents, parents, relatives, friends, colleagues, customers, partners, etc. …

As for the Chinese people, the Mid-Autumn Festival is considered one of the four important holidays in the year of this densely populated country. This New Year’s Day has many special meanings associated with people’s lives such as: “Mid-Autumn Festival, everyone in the family, wherever they are, will come back to their parents and grandparents to have a reunion meal, that’s it. meaning “double member”, so it is also called “Tet Doan Vien”.

Moon worship

In terms of moon worshiping beliefs of the Chinese and Vietnamese people, there are many differences. For Vietnamese people, the image of the moon is associated with crop life. The full moon day of August falls in the fall, so the climate is cool and pleasant in the year. The full moon night of August is the most beautiful, bright and full moon night. On this day is also the time when the crop has just ended, so farmers can relax, enjoy the full moon, and mingle with heaven and earth.

For the Chinese people, the symbol of the moon is the presence of prosperity associated with the image of women giving birth to children. According to ancient legend in this country, the sun and moon are a couple and the stars are their children. The moon with the negative part representing women is sparkling and gorgeous on the full moon night of August.

This legend also holds that the moon is round because of pregnancy. After giving birth, it will be missing and appear crescent-shaped. The Chinese people attach great importance to the issue of maintaining women’s race, this issue should be respected and recognized for their great sacrifice. So on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month is the day to remember the great birth of mothers.

Activities on Mid-Autumn Festival

For Vietnamese people, on the Mid-Autumn Festival, they will have many activities such as making many trays of moon cakes and tea to offer to ancestors, grandparents, parents, organizing more fun activities for children. as small as a lion dance,… The rituals in turn are: procession of lights, presentation of dishes, breaking of feasts, singing of military drums, etc., under the full moon. They also offer many products and flowers on the full moon night of August to show their respect and gratitude and gather with their families to enjoy delicious moon cakes, a cup of warm tea for all. everyone has fun together.

For the Chinese, on the Mid-Autumn Festival, adults and children all have their own activities. Adults set up parties to enjoy the moon, drop lights on the river, some parts also have matchmaking activities on the night of the full moon. Young children are held many games of pulling lanterns, carp lanterns procession, lion dance, dragon fire dance, and eating moon cakes.

For the Chinese, on the Mid-Autumn Festival, adults and children all have their own activities. Adults set up parties to enjoy the moon, drop lights on the river, some parts also have matchmaking activities on the night of the full moon. Young children are held many games of pulling lanterns, carp lanterns procession, lion dance, dragon fire dance, and eating moon cakes.

The custom of playing lanterns

In Vietnam, on the Mid-Autumn Festival, children often have the custom of playing lanterns with different shapes. The lanterns are decorated with many motifs bearing Vietnamese national identity such as calligraphy, apricot flowers, peach branches or historical relics. Lanterns for Vietnamese people also symbolize warmth, happiness, and family affection.

The Chinese often use red round lanterns on the full moon night of August. They believe that red will symbolize peace, luck as well as fertility. Lanterns will bring happiness, luck and peace to all people.

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