As this year’s Mid-Autumn Festival approaches, more than a few Saigoneers have shown a renewed interest in the holiday’s traditions.
While mass-produced moon cakes – think bright yellow Kinh Do kiosks temporarily set up on street corners around the city – are on the decline, several trendy local cafes have breathed new life into Tet Trung Thu this year with everything from custom versions of the holiday confection to lantern- and mask-making workshops. Meanwhile, on Saigon’s own phố lồng đèn, a resurgence in traditional glass paper lanterns has kept artisans busy through the holiday season.
With this renewed enthusiasm in mind, take a look back at how Hanoi celebrated Mid-Autumn Festival in the 1920s and 1930s, courtesy of Flickr master manhhai:
A shop sells children's toys in Hanoi, 1925-1935.
A woman sells cakes and children's toys in Hanoi, 1925-1935.
A lantern shop displays its wares for Mid-Autumn Festival in Hanoi, 1925-1935.
A boy stands with his Mid-Autumn Festival toys.
The altar of a wealthy family during Mid-Autumn Festival in Hanoi, 1925-1935.
A Mid-Autumn Festival dragon dance in Hanoi, 1925-1935.
A Mid-Autumn Festival dragon dance in Hanoi, 1925-1935.
A Mid-Autumn Festival dragon dance in Hanoi, 1925-1935.
A Mid-Autumn Festival parade in Hanoi, 1925-1935.
A family altar decorated for Mid-Autumn Festival in Hanoi, 1925-1935.
A Mid-Autumn Festival parade in Hanoi, 1925-1935.
A boy sits in front of a shop selling Mid-Autumn Festival toys in Hanoi, 1925-1935.
A Mid-Autumn Festival dragon dance outside a toy shop in Hanoi, 1925-1935.
[Photos via Flickr user manhhai]
