Tết Trung Thu Hanoi 2025

If you're in Vietnam this October and looking for magic, moonlight, and a whole lot of lanterns – Tết Trung Thu Hanoi 2025 is where the glow-up begins. Known across many Asian countries as the Mid-Autumn Festival, this beloved Vietnamese celebration takes over Hanoi on October 6, 2025, the 15th day of the eighth lunar month.

As the festival approaches, Hanoi's Old Quarter becomes a focal point of activity, where lanterns twinkle, lion dancers leap through the streets, and the scent of moon cakes fills the air. This is a full-blown cultural celebration rooted in legends like the magical banyan tree and packed with family traditions.

The festival’s heartbeat is Hang Ma Street, famous for its glowing colorful lanterns, traditional toys, and stalls selling everything from mystery cakes to decorative dragon heads. It’s a true feast for the eyes, and your camera roll.

Expect packed streets, happy chaos, and smiling Vietnamese children who will carry lanterns. While the heart of the celebration glows brightly in Hanoi, Tết Trung Thu will also light up the streets of Ho Chi Minh City under the full moon, bringing lanterns and lion dances to neighborhoods like Lương Nhữ Học Street in Chợ Lớn.

What to Expect When Attending Tết Trung Thu Hanoi 2025

Tết Trung Thu, also known as the Children’s Festival, is one of the biggest autumn festivals in Vietnam, especially in Hanoi. Streets are decorated with colourful masks, paper dragons with sinuous body borne on the shoulders of dancers, and floats.

Throughout the ancient town, you’ll find:

• Lion dances and dragon dances performed by acrobatic dancers
• Kids participating in lantern parades with star-shaped lanterns and drums echoing down the streets
• Pop-up stages with cultural performances near Hoàn Kiếm Lake
• Stalls selling sticky cakes, baked cakes, and elaborately decorated boxes filled with lotus seed paste and thick wheat crust mooncakes
• Families setting up offerings with five fruit trays and incense on the ancestral altar

Even if you’re just there for a hot cup of green tea and some serious people-watching, the festival vibe is contagious.

October in Hanoi is known for its pleasant autumn weather, with average temperatures around 25 C (77 F), ranging from lows of 22 C (71.6 F) to highs of 28 C (82.4 F), providing comfortable conditions for outdoor festivities.

As Tết Trung Thu is primarily a community-centered celebration, most public events and street festivities in Hanoi are free to attend. However, certain cultural performances or workshops may require tickets.

How to Get to Tết Trung Thu Hanoi 2025

The best way to soak in the full Tết Trung Thu experience is by heading to Hanoi’s Old Quarter, especially around Hang Ma Street and Lương Văn Can Street. Here’s how to get there:

From Nội Bài International Airport (HAN):

• By taxi or Grab: Around 45–60 minutes depending on traffic. Grab is a popular ride-hailing app in Vietnam.
• By airport shuttle: Buses run from the airport to Hanoi city center (Gia Lâm or Long Biên). From there, it’s a short ride to the Old Quarter.

From other city districts:

• By motorbike or taxi: Direct and convenient, but expect heavy traffic during festival nights.
• By bus: Public buses like routes 18, 34, and 31 stop near Hoàn Kiếm Lake, just a 10-minute walk from Hàng Mã Street.

If you're visiting from rural areas or planning to visit Vietnam just for the festival, book accommodation near the Old Quarter for easy access on foot.

Tết Trung Thu Hanoi 2025 Bag Policy

While there’s no official bag policy, the narrow streets and dense crowds of the Old Quarter make large bags and backpacks pretty inconvenient. You’ll be navigating lantern stalls, lion dances, and a sea of glowing paper crafts – so it’s best to pack light.

Some ticketed events (like theater performances or traditional shows) might check bags for safety. Don’t bring alcohol, fireworks, or anything bulky – you’ll just be dodging lion heads and elbowing through crowds.

Tết Trung Thu Hanoi 2025 Bag Storage

Enjoy the festival hands-free with Bounce

Why fight your way through Hàng Mã Street with a suitcase when you can store it securely nearby with Bounce? With storage locations across Hanoi, Bounce makes your Mid-Autumn Festival experience easy.

• Affordable: Just ₫80,000 per day. No sneaky fees.
• Safe and Secure: Protected up to $10,000. Your mooncakes are in good hands.
• 24/7 Support: Got questions? Bounce is here to help.
• Free Cancellation: Change of plans? Cancel before drop-off and get your money back.

How to Store Your Bags with Bounce

• Book in a few taps: Choose a nearby spot in Hanoi, pay online, and you’re set.
• Drop it off: Show your confirmation, check in, and hand over your bag.
• Go enjoy the magic: Light a lantern, eat a mooncake, and get lost in the Mid-Autumn festivities hands free.

Tips to Make the Most of Tết Trung Thu Hanoi 2025

• Arrive early: Excitement peaks after sunset, so claim your lantern-spotting post before the crowd.
• Try different mooncakes: Go beyond basic lotus. Try red bean, salted egg yolk, or even durian (if you dare).
• Respect the culture: Some families set up offerings for the Earth God or moon spirits, don’t touch!
• Dress for the crowds: Comfortable shoes, breathable clothes, and a light bag are a must.
• Look for local artisans: Support makers of traditional toys and decorative items, many are handmade.
• Stay alert: The festival is lively, but watch your belongings in busy areas.
• Skip the baggage stress: Store your bags with Bounce so you can carry only the essentials.

Let the lanterns guide you through a Hanoi evening full of laughter, tradition, and glowing memories. Tết Trung Thu Hanoi 2025 is a celebration of everything that makes autumn in Vietnam feel so magical.