Unique model of the largest Mid-Autumn Festival lantern in Vietnam.

Traditional Mid-Autumn Festival in Hanoi's Old Quarter: As the Mid-Autumn Festival approaches, Tuyen Quang city comes alive with the sounds of drums, music, and children's laughter amidst giant Mid-Autumn lantern models.

This year, in preparation for the Mid-Autumn Festival, starting in early July, neighborhood groups in Tuyen Quang city have been planning to build giant lantern models to participate in the 2015 Tuyen Quang City Festival. It is expected that the neighborhoods will create nearly 100 lantern models, each with a different shape and meaning, creating a colorful and vibrant Mid-Autumn night, bringing joy to children and contributing to Tuyen Quang's making it "the biggest Mid-Autumn Festival in Vietnam".

Carp-shaped Mid-Autumn Festival lantern model.

In residential area 21, Tan Quang ward, Tuyen Quang city, residents are rushing to complete the final stages of their Mid-Autumn Festival lantern model, "Carp Gazing at the Moon." They began working on this model nearly two months ago. The model is almost 11 meters long and 5 meters high, costing over 16 million VND. The Mid-Autumn Festival lantern model from residential area 21, Tan Quang ward, is considered one of the most beautiful models of this year's festival.

Ms. Phung Thi Thanh Huong, Secretary of the Party cell of residential group 21, Tan Quang ward, Tuyen Quang city, said: Taking inspiration from the folk painting "Carp Gazing at the Moon," which symbolizes the pursuit of perfection and fulfillment in human life, through this model, the parents of residential group 21 convey the message that they wish their children to always be well-behaved, excel in their studies, and grow into successful adults in the future. To complete the "Carp Gazing at the Moon" model, the residential group mobilized residents to contribute funds according to each household's ability. This activity has further strengthened the solidarity of the people in the residential group. According to Ms. Huong, before starting to build the model, residential group 21, Tan Quang ward, held a meeting and decided to design the model in a "dynamic" style, meaning the "Carp Gazing at the Moon" model will automatically wag its tail, shake its body, and release bubbles through a motion transmission system designed and created by the residents themselves.

Lanterns modeled after the Mid-Autumn Festival are paraded through the streets.

The "Golden Dragon" model of residential group 22, Phan Thiet ward, Tuyen Quang city, was implemented nearly a month ago. The model is almost 12 meters long, 3.5 meters high, and has five curved peaks. It was completed with over 20 million VND contributed by the residents of the group. Mr. Pham Duy Huu, head of the Front Committee of residential group 22, Phan Thiet ward, shared that the dragon holds a special place in Vietnamese culture and beliefs, and is a sacred symbol related to the legend of the dragon and the immortal. The dragon symbolizes favorable weather and is considered the most sacred of the four mythical creatures: "dragon, unicorn, turtle, and phoenix." Through the "Golden Dragon" model, the elders and parents in the residential group hope that their children and grandchildren will always remember their origins as "descendants of Lac and Hong," be proud of their Vietnamese heritage, and later contribute their strength and intellect to building and protecting the Fatherland.

At this year's Tuyen Quang City festival, in addition to Mid-Autumn lantern models inspired by Vietnamese folk legends, fairy tales, and fables, there are also many models inspired by glorious historical events of our country. Next to the "Echoes of Dien Bien Phu" model, Ms. Tran Thi Con, head of residential group No. 2, Tan Quang ward, Tuyen Quang city, said: "Every year on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month, the people in our residential group make lanterns for the children to enjoy the Mid-Autumn Festival."

This year, the neighborhood decided to build a Mid-Autumn Festival lantern model called "Echoes of Dien Bien Phu," hoping that the children and grandchildren will always remember the sacrifices of the generations who shed their blood and fought for the independence and freedom of the nation, so that they can enjoy a prosperous life today and have a joyful and warm Mid-Autumn Festival. The neighborhood's Mid-Autumn Festival lantern model consists of three parts: part 1 simulates a truck carrying weapons and ammunition to serve the Dien Bien Phu battlefield; part 2 simulates the image of three soldiers raising the victory flag on top of General De Castries' bunker; and part 3 simulates the historical site of Muong Thanh Bridge. The model was completed in one month, with a budget of over 30 million VND contributed by the residents themselves.

Although the Mid-Autumn Festival hasn't arrived yet, these days, in the evenings, thousands of locals and tourists fill the streets of Tuyen Quang city with lantern parades, "kicking off" the Tuyen Quang festival. Giant Mid-Autumn lanterns, handcrafted by the people of Tuyen Quang, create a lively atmosphere, surprising and delighting visitors from all over, and bringing joy to the eyes and smiles of children.

According to News